Last updated: 23rd June 2005

PEDNET PROJECT WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR "PROMOTIONS"

19th May, 2005

"Bike, Walk and Wheel: A Way of Life in Columbia" - Columbia's Active Living project led by the PedNet Coalition was honored on May 19, 2005. At the national Active Living by Design meeting in Chapel Hill, NC, the Columbia project received the award for Promotion of Active Living. Shown receiving the prize are Project Director Ian Thomas (center-left) and Communications Director Stacia Reilly (of the Columbia/Boone County Health Dept., center-right). Presenting the award are Rich Bell (left) and Rich Killingsworth (right) of Active Living by Design.

Active Living by Design project officer Rich Bell said: "The project focuses on increasing routine physical activity among youth and parents at four schools in a diverse district of Columbia, MO. Led by the PedNet Coalition, this has established a very productive and consistent promotional campaign that has supported all the 5P strategies. During its first year, the partnership’s promotional effort included:

Conducting significant research and planning for a social marketing effort, including a series of behavioral surveys of residents
Creating a campaign that generated 73 significant media hits – 30 on radio, 28 in the newspaper, and 15 on television – and the formation of a partnership with Cumulus Broadcasting that includes a monthly morning radio talk show on active living and healthy eating
Holding a poster, poem and rap contest for students, creating a series of jingles for regular use at events and over broadcasts, and improving the organization's website.
Holding several successful public events including Walk to School Days and assemblies at each of four target schools, the Mayor’s Challenge: Bike, Walk and Wheel Week, Cycle Recycle, Walk to the Ballpark Night, and a Physical Activity Self-Challenge
Mobilizing volunteer members of the PedNet coalition to ensure the steady appearance of editorials and letters in the local paper advocating for ambitious new citywide street standards which were subsequently passed"

For the original release, please visit www.activelivingbydesign.org/index.php?id=370.

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