Fact Sheet

Besides its economic benefits, trails can contribute to improved health. This fact sheet identifies the ways in which using trails for exercise can improve one's physical health.

Actions undertaken by states, regions and localities to achieve smart growth are not always easy to learn about, nor are examples immediately available. This database highlights numerous policies and programs that states and localities nationwide have implemented to further smart growth. The policies in this database represent a variety of approaches ranging from formal legislative or regulatory efforts to informal approaches, plans, and programs.

This database website, developed by PlaceMatters.com, is a resource for communities to identify technical tools and processes for better community design and decision making.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services developed this series of local success stories as a resource for local communities and health advocates interested in promoting physical activity and healthy eating through environmental and policy approaches.

This paper prepared by the Prevention Institute identifies community-level environmental factors that discourage physical activity and healthy eating, especially among children and potential issues that can be considered as targets for action or mobilization.

The National Center on Accessibility focuses on accessibility as it relates to recreation, parks and tourism. The site provides numerous publications and resources related to accessibility of outdoor spaces including trails, beaches, golf courses, playground, etc.

This web page reviews work by a number of local agencies that have converted anti-crime design concepts into local codes and guidelines for new development and redevelopment. It also includes a 4-page fact sheet that summarizes research and provides case study examples of how design and local codes can reduce crime around multifamily housing.

This web page contains a series of very useful fact sheets related to land use and livable communities. It is also a portal to other free resources including reports and guidelines, model projects, participation and transit assessment toolkits and key articles and presentations.