Active Living Leadership - basic facts on creating environments that encourage physical activity, including policy development resources. Also includes a calculator for communities and businesses to calculate what costs are associated with physical inactivity in their community or business.

You're It. Get Fit! President's Challenge

Hearts N' Parks is a national community-based program designed to help park and recreation agencies and encourage heart-healthy lifestyles in communities.

Communities

Hiking and Biking Trails in South Dakota

One of the under used treasures in South Dakota are the many, many miles of trails through out the state, both in parks and in local communities. Many cities and towns in South Dakota have started on the ‘path’ to wellness and healthy lifestyle  by adding walking, hiking, and biking trails to encourage exercise. Regular physical activity decreases risks for chronic disease, improves overall quality of life, and enhances well-being. HealthySD is pleased to provide the following links to these community trails.  Check back as we will be updating this page with more community links as they become available.  

Learn about other trail resources for communities.

Enjoy the South Dakota outdoors!

New Resources for Communities

Healthy South Dakota offers two new resources for communities:

• Strides to a Healthy Community Tool Kit provides information and tools for creating healthier communities, including policy and environmental changes to promote healthy lifestyles. The tool kit includes resources such as science-based guidelines, examples of strategies and activities, survey forms and a sample workplan and budget.
• Community Walking Tool Kit offers step-by-step guidance to forming a walking club, keeping members motivated, and garnering local support for increasing community walkability. It highlights many South Dakota organizations and resources to support communities in their walking program efforts. Physical activity is one of the best ways to improve your health, longevity and quality of life; and walking is a wonderful way to get more physical activity. 

Healthy Food Financing Initiative

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative, a new federal initiative, will promote a range of interventions that expand access to nutritious foods, including developing and equipping grocery stores and other small businesses and retailers selling healthy food in communities that currently lack these options. Residents of these communities, which are sometimes called "food deserts" and are often found in economically distressed areas, are typically served by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer little or no fresh produce. Lack of healthy, affordable food options can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. More information 

Healthy Vending

Strides to a Healthier Worksite

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) report explores conditions of bicycling and walking detailing the trends and changes in bicycling and walking.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nutrition and Physical Activity, and Active Community Environments:

Active Community Environments (ACEs) - a CDC-sponsored initiative to promote walking, bicycling, and the development of accessible recreation facilities.

Walkable Communities - information to help communities of all sizes become more walkable and pedestrian friendly. Provides information on workshops, training, and presentations.

Fitness for Youth - premier resource for information about the health and fitness of America's youth.