Elizabeth E. Siddens, BA, Health Information Branch, Barren River District Health Department, P.O. Box 1157, 1109 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42102-1157, 270-781-8039 ext. 146, ElizabethE.Siddens@ky.gov, Helen Tyson Siewers, Greenways Commision, City-County Planning Commission of Warren County, 1141 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101, and Diedre Hewitt, LA/MS, Rivers, Trails, & Conservation Assistance Program, National Park Service, LA/MS Field Office, 419 Decator Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.

Community partners are exploring resources for constructing sidewalks and shared use paths to encourage physical activity as part of daily life within specified neighborhoods of a small Kentucky city. Areas include older neighborhoods in transition, a university, and farmland under commercial and residential development. Such development offers prime opportunities for introduction of pedestrian and cycling pathways. But how do residents feel about these improvements? Would they use them to increase physical activity? Would they welcome alternative modes of transportation? What are current barriers to walking and cycling, and which specific improvements would be most appreciated?

Methodology - In consultation with the National Park Service, “Neighborhood Connector” project partners developed a public input plan to: (1) Gather data for answering these questions; (2) Introduce residents and stakeholders to possibilities for infrastructure development; and (3) Help build political support for funding. Similar, but distinct, survey instruments were designed for input from university students/staff, and from residents of adjacent low/moderate-income neighborhoods. Surveys were distributed through six public forums, churches, and schools. The International Center provided interpretation for foreign-born residents. Additionally, 20 high school students conducted a class project of door-to-door interviews in the lowest-income neighborhoods. Extensive media coverage also encouraged public input via phone and partner organization websites. The District Health Department analyzed survey data, organizing results by respondents’ living or working address.

Results - Survey data and input comments from 900+ residents helped guide priorities and proposals for infrastructure improvements. This, with media coverage, helped influence design of public and private development.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to (
• Describe seven partners and six elements of this public input plan for neighborhood infrastructure design; (
• Describe five methods of gathering survey data and pubic comments used for this project, and how they could be applied in their own activities; (
• Identify eight ways in which public input influenced prioritization of project recommendations, influenced the recommended design details, and strengthened the resolve of public and private developers to implement the recommended improvements.

Keywords: Obesity, Community Participation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.