Designing Healthy Communities: Lawrence Zoning & Public Health Zoning Reform to Inspire Healthy Living Heather McMann, Groundwork Lawrence

Groundwork Lawrence For people - creating opportunities for people to learn new skills and take local action For places - creating better, safer and healthier neighborhoods For prosperity - helping business and individuals fulfill their potential

Lawrence in 1850

Lawrence Now

Statistics One of the poorest & most heavily Latino cities in NE Population 76,000 in 7 square miles 25%+ of families below poverty line Low Homeownership & High Unemployment Rates High rates of foreclosure 37% of residents hold HS degree Young population (~30% under age 24) Diet & lifestyle-related disease rates soaring Highest rates of youth obesity in MA Food Desert: 1 Grocery Store, 100+ Corner Stores Fast Food Restaurants

Healthy Food Access

1850s - Small mill built on the site, including several raceways running through the property 1940s: - Site redeveloped into a commercial laundry Late 1980s - Laundry buildings demolished, leaving the site vacant Neighborhood Summit identified site for a neighborhood park Completed remediation & construction, funding from EPA Brownfields, MA EOEEA, City of Lawrence & Bank of America Dr. Nina Scarito Park

Manchester Street Park Former incinerator 1990s - Community succeeded in closing the incinerator Envisioned as a park 2009 – Ribbon-cutting ceremony 2010 & 2011 – 2 National Awards

Manchester Street Park

Spruce St. Vacant Lots

Spruce St. Community Garden

The Spicket River Greenway

Walkable Communities and Health  Walking is beneficial to people's health, to community vitality, and for the environment.  Improves community interaction as people are more likely to talk with neighbors and shop in local stores when they are walking through a community.  Provides easy, inexpensive and low-impact exercise that can improve the overall health of community residents.  Walking instead of driving protects environmental quality. Reducing vehicular emissions benefits plants, watersheds and the health of wildlife and people alike.

Walkable Communities and Economic Benefits  Housing Values are Higher  Attract "New Economy" Workers  Are becoming a Business Relocation Alternative  Reduce Commuting Costs  Cost the Taxpayer Less  Attracts Tourists  Can Capture an Emerging "Lifestyle" Retail Market Source:

Lesson learned: Challenges are Opportunities Challenges No Master Plan Brownfields/Vacant lots Illegal dumping Flooding Public Perception Limited Access to Healthy Food Limited Regional Cooperation Opportunities Open Space Plan Dense, Walkable City Mixed-Use Neighborhoods Active Transportation Open Spaces for Recreation & Exercise Improved Environment (air, water, soil)

Connecting Public Health, Zoning & Community Development Heather McMann, Groundwork Lawrence (978) x7009