Complete Streets and Your Health

Do you know what a Complete Street is?

Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street. (1)

So, what do Complete Streets have to do with health?

One of the easiest ways to increase physical activity is by making activity part of your everyday life: walking or biking to work or school, to the grocery store, or on errands. These are things you do and places you go most days anyway.

However, some of our streets are not set up to be very friendly to walkers and bicyclers. That's where Complete Streets policies come in to play.

How will Complete Streets benefit our community?
• Health: Increased walking and biking leads to less chronic disease
• Community Building: Safer neighborhoods, more neighbor-to-neighbor interactions
• Economic: Increased property values, growth and new development, money stays in community
• Safety: Fewer traffic accidents

As part of the "Get Moving Twin Cities" grant, Get Fit Festus will work on Complete Streets policies in Festus and Crystal City.

Click here to learn more about Complete Streets.

Are there places nearby that you feel you cannot get to without your car? Leave a comment and share your experiences!



1. http://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/complete-streets-faq/

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M.B.

February Meeting

We will hold our next Get Fit Festus meeting on Thursday, February 4th, from 3:00-4:15pm. Please join us if you are interested in working to promote a healthy lifestyle for citizens in Festus and the surrounding communities.

For more information about the meeting, contact Melissa Brown:
Email: melissa.brown@jeffcohealth.org
Phone: 636-282-1010 x217

Get Healthy DeSoto Better Body Challenge 2010

DESOTO’S Better Body Challenge (BBC) begins on January 21st. This 12 week weight-loss competition will kick-off with a weigh-in and health fair on Thursday, January 21st from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the Vineland School Gym. Cost of the challenge is $25.00 which includes a BBC t-shirt. $10.00 of the enrollment fee will be divided between first place male and female winners at the conclusion of the contest. This is your opportunity to lose weight, win some money, and have positive continuous encouragement and support. The BBC is sponsored by DeSoto DARE, Inc and Get Healthy DeSoto. For more information contact Debby at 586-4570. Enrollment forms and brochures available at Eagle Bank, National City Bank, First State Community Bank, DeSoto Chiropractic Office and the DeSoto Public Library and DeSoto Chamber of Commerce office.

Get Fit Festus Meeting

The Get Fit Festus Meeting for this Thursday, January 14 has been cancelled.

BEAT THE HOLIDAY BULGE FINAL WEIGH IN THIS WEEK!!!

Hope everyone had a very safe and happy holiday season. Now is the time for the final weigh in for Beat the Holiday Bulge!!

Tuesday, January 5th, 2-9pm at Jefferson County YMCA

Thursday, January 7th, 9am-4pm at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Outpatient Rehab department.

If you maintained your weight within one pound you will get your FREE Get Fit Festus T-shirt and be eligible for some great prizes!!

If you have any questions call Andy at (636) 933-1603. See you there!!