Here’s help to get Two Harbors healthier

Talk about it

The second round of Statewide Health Improvement Program grants from the Minnesota Department of Health have come through, allowing SHIP in Lake County to continue wellness efforts in our communities and schools, this time focusing on the Two Harbors area.

A similar effort took place in Silver Bay over a two-year period ending in June 2011.

This Statewide Health Improvement Program grant will focus on creating wellness policies and action plans for the city of Two Harbors, Two Harbors High School and Minnehaha Elementary. The strategies will target participation in three areas: Safe Routes to Schools, Healthy School Food and an Active Transportation effort within the larger community of Two Harbors. The SHIP effort in Two Harbors will last 18 months with the overall goal of creating lasting and sustainable wellness plans created by local folks who care about providing healthier foods in the schools and active transportation choices for our kids and residents.

Simple lifestyle changes can lead to healthier lives. Our goal will be to increase the health of Two Harbors by developing sustainable community programs and policy changes that support active lifestyles and healthy nutrition. For that to take place, community members, from kids to seniors, are invited to bring their ideas to the table.

We will be hosting our first meeting Wednesday, May 9, 6:30-7:30 pm, in the Split Rock Conference Room at the Human Services Building, 616 3rd Ave. in Two Harbors. That night we can start to assemble members for a Safe Routes to Schools, Healthy School Foods and Active Transportation Coalition.

We’ll come up with a catchy name soon.

The hope is that we can create a community wellness group to focus on active lifestyles across the broader community.

Small changes can make a big difference in the overall health and activity of a community.

I hope to be able to bridge SHIP with the wellness and recreational plans already in place within the community and create a healthier place for all. There is huge potential to make Two Harbors the “City of Wellness … with Healthy Schools to Boot.”

I know there are a host of local folks out there walking our trails and practicing healthy food options. Bring your ideas to the wider community. Please feel free to contact me at (218) 834-8520 or e-mail me at forrest.johnson@co.lake.mn.us

Forrest Johnson is the local coordinator for the Lake County Statewide Helath Improvement Program.

Tags: two harbors