A Healthy Takeover by Santa Ana, CA Citizens

In Santa Ana, CA, an innovative program has brought together the city's parks and recreation department, neighborhood associations and volunteers to restore open space and promote active living in the community. The SALUD Initiative, Safe and Active Living United Districts, was developed by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency (PRCSA) and has encouraged Santa Ana residents, from children to senior citizens, to take better care of their neighborhoods and their health.

The healthy takeover began in 2005 when the Madison Park Neighborhood Association approached the city with concerns that the area around an existing paved trail was covered with graffiti and served as a gathering place for the homeless. Many residents felt uncomfortable using the path, which they believed should be a place where everyone can feel safe. The city's response was to help develop a neighborhood committee to consider safety issues and restore the path as a vital greenway. A unique feature of this program is Parks Agency staff's direct work with community members to address their concerns about the environment and to organize activities that respond to their needs and interests. Thus began the SALUD Initiative, which has expanded to the nearby Santa Anita neighborhood and is now beginning work with a third neighborhood. The program is on track to involve additional neighborhood associations by the end of this year.

Thus far, SALUD has:

• Painted over graffiti and planted trees along the paved trail in the Madison Park neighborhood with the help of over 100 volunteers;

Started a weekly walking club for neighbors;

• Conducted a walk-a-thon with 300 Madison Park residents promoting physical activity;
• Staged a health fair in conjunction with the walk-a-thon that included health testing, a bicycle raffle and information about local community organizations and a neighborhood walking club;
• Formed a mountain biking club for kids, the "Extreme All-Terrain Riders," that takes Saturday excursions and teaches participants about bike maintenance, health and nutrition;
• Developed a Seniors-On-The-Go initiative promoting physical activity with events, including a senior Olympics event and health fair; and
• Utilized the neighborhood recreation center for an innovative "Broom Aerobics" class four mornings each week, appealing to mothers by providing free child care and healthy snacks at the end of each session.

The Santa Ana community is making strides to build healthier neighborhoods and inform residents about the importance physical activity and health. By drawing on the collective strength and wisdom of neighborhood leaders, residents and city resources, SALUD has helped neighbors reclaim community spaces for physical activity. By increasing health awareness and creating more programs and spaces for physical activity, Santa Ana is becoming a model for the positive impact of partnerships and citizen involvement.

Resources

Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency

Orange County Register article on the bike trail

Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Program Spotlight

Profile of Gerardo Mouet, Director of Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Service Agency