Healthy Built Environment

The Healthy Built Environment Work Group promotes active lifestyles by working with policymakers to increase and improve trails, sidewalks, public transit, parks and other community resources.

The Work Group supports efforts to:

  • Building and maintaining sidewalks, bikeways, and trails where people can safely walk, roll, or use other forms of active transportation
  • Increasing the variety of opportunities for physical activity, including indoor recreation centers, parks, and other open spaces
  • Encouraging walking and biking to school, work, and other activities
  • Undertaking efforts to increase safety for people who are walking, biking, and otherwise being active outdoors (and thus reducing non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries on public roads in the county)

Recent Workgroup Accomplishments

The Healthy Built Environment Work Group, through the coalition’s Pathways grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, supported the development of on-bike safety education at Baldwin Junior High and funded the purchase of fleet of bicycles used for the program.

LiveWell Annual Celebration Breakfast Awards

As part of its annual celebration, on Friday, November 19, 2022 the LiveWell Douglas County coalition awarded Culture of Health Action Awards to both coalition members and community partners whose efforts have helped improve the health and well-being of Douglas County residents.

Healthy Built Environment honored several long-time leaders of the Work Group. Dot Nary, Chris Tilden, and Gary Webber have all been actively involved in the Work Group almost from its inception, and have served in work group leadership roles and have been engaged in countless efforts in Lawrence and Douglas County to build a stronger network for walking and biking both as a form of recreation and transportation.

Resources

For more information about joining, go to Get Involved.

Work Group Leadership

  1. Play With Your Food: Engaging Families and Youth at the Lawrence Farmers’ Market

    A walk through the Lawrence Farmers’ Market in late summer provides a feast for the senses – but this season you might have also noticed a new opportunity for younger visitors . . . Read on...

  2. New Lawrence Loop Map Available

    A new Lawrence Loop Map is available. Descriptions were developed to help trail users enjoy their experience on the Lawrence Loop by identifying sections of the Loop that will suit their interests and abilities. Trail lengths are approximate. Read on...

  3. LiveWell Douglas County Executive Director Announced

    LiveWell Douglas County is pleased to announce that Virginia (Ginny) Barnard has accepted the position of Executive Director. Read on...

  4. Pathways to a Healthy Kansas

    Representatives of LiveWell Douglas County met with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas’ Pathways to a Healthy Kansas to plan initiatives for 2023. The coalition will be looking to distribute as much as $250,000 to community partners to support key projects. Read on...

  5. Ribbon Cutting Held on Newest Loop Segment

    A ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest segment of the Lawrence Loop was held on October 22nd. The new segment runs from Peterson Park to North Michigan Street. Read on...
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