EXAMPLES Partnering with the Federal Government ELLIOTT COUNTY, KY Rural Elliott County, Kentucky, had an unmet need for recreational facilities and a mountaintop watershed with pristine streams in need of protection. To meet these needs, the county government partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to develop the Laurel Gorge Cultural Center and Hiking Trail on federal land. The county manages the facility under a 25-year lease with the USACE. Over the years and as funding has allowed, 3 miles of trails have been developed, including a portion that is wheelchair-accessible. The trails are lined with interpretive signs and stations and are regularly used by local schools and families for education and recreation. Fruits, Vegetables, and Community Development BIRMINGHAM, AL The South Eastlake neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama, historically has had few places to buy healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. For over a decade, Promoting Empowerment and Enrichment Resources (P.E.E.R., Inc.) has worked to bring fresh food and other resources for healthy living to the South Eastlake neighborhood. Much of P.E.E.R., Inc.’s work happens out of the Eastlake United Methodist Church, whose pastor is the founder and executive director. The church hosts a popular weekly seasonal farmers market. It also runs a mobile farmers market and senior market basket delivery program and operates a community kitchen at the church that incubates small food businesses and trains residents in commercial food preparation. Congregations Opening Up for Community Recreation CABARRUS COUNTY, NC The Cabarrus Health Alliance’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project focuses on reducing health disparities in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. A key component of the project is working with congregations to adopt open use policies that allow free community access to their recreational facilities. The congregations actively promote their physical activity classes, facilities, and equipment to the public. For example, First Missionary Baptist Church provides bilingual handouts showing walking routes on their grounds. Another church has an improved track, and others have recreation rooms equipped with televisions and exercise videos. The number of participating congregations continues to grow, helping to increase access to recreational space throughout the county. 0 0 100 100 200 300 km 300 mi 200 km 100 mi Elliot County KENTUCKY 0 0 100 100 200 300 km 300 mi 200 m 00 mi Birmingham ALABAMA 0 0 100 100 200 300 km 300 mi 200 Cabarrus County NORTH CAROLINA 12 Shared Use | changelabsolutions.org
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