Walk Urban Indy 2014 Annual Report – Preview May 5, 2014

About Walk Urban Indy (WUI)  Established, May 2013  Mission Statement: To encourage the urban residents of Indianapolis to form walking groups in their neighborhoods and empower them by increasing their knowledge and awareness of their community's assets. Our multi-generational, 360 approach to raising the quality of life combines exercise, social connectivity, education, environmental awareness, and vigilance

What’s So Special About Walking  It’s HEALTHY - Promotes daily aerobic exercise.  It’s SOCIAL - Builds connections between neighbors.  It’s EDUCATIONAL - Increases our knowledge about the area we live in.  It’s ENVIRONMENTAL - Brings a higher appreciation of our green spaces.  It’s ENLIGHTENING – Raises our awareness of what is happening in our community  It’s VIGILANT - Signals a neighborhood of alert, involved participants.  It’s MULTI-GENERATIONAL – No age limit to participate; walking is for everyone.

What’s So Special About Walking? CureTogether.Org Based on 30,000+ user ratings Q: #1 most effective treatment for depression? A: Exercise! 2 nd – 5th are: Spending time with pets Play outside Music with exercise Daily aerobic exercise

What We’ve Been Up To (the highlights)  May, 2013: Articles of Incorporation  June, 2013: Launched our first walking route – an historic-themed route in Historic Watson Park  July, 2013: Joined the Pedestrian Working Group led by Health By Design  Summer/Fall, 2013: Led over 60 participants of all ages in neighborhood walks.  October, 2013: Received a scholarship to attend the first ever National Walking Summit in Washington D.C.

What We’ve Been Up To (the highlights)  October, 2013: Worked with Amos Butler Audubon, Destination Fall Creek, and KIB to coordinate a walking tour of the Watson Road Bird Preserve and the neighborhood’s slice of the Monon Trail.  October, 2013: Presented at INRC’s Annual “Neighbor Power” conference on the topic of the many benefits of walking in your neighborhood.  November 2013: Began working with students and advisors at IUPUI’s Public History Program to integrate Walk Urban Indy route information into the Indy Historical project.

What We’ve Been Up To (the highlights)  January, 2014: WUI incorporated into the Mid-North Quality of Life (MNQoL) Plan as a Lead-Partner in several health-based action items  January, 2014: WUI joined the MNQoL Health Sub-Committee  January 2014: Started working with LISC on the Mid-North Health Partnership  Ongoing:  Meeting with neighborhood associations, community organizations, and government representatives focusing on the initiative and how to best promote walking in your neighborhood.  Walk-Meets!

2014 Calendar  Working with Historic Meridian Park (HMP) to create a one- mile walk-route within the neighborhood and assist in the formation of resident walking groups.  Working with IMPD, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, and other City and neighborhood agencies and organizations, special walk events will be held over the summer within the six neighborhoods that make up the Mid-North Area to inform residents on walking safely and effectively.  WUI will be utilizing a grant we received from the CICF Employee Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation, to help support this initiative.

2014 Calendar  May 7: Neighborhood Health Strategy Meeting Renaissance Center)  May 9: Working with the children, teachers, and parents of Phalen Leadership Academy and Carpe Diem on a Sidewalk Assessment organized by Health by Design as part of the Safe Routes to Schools program.  May 15: Leading tours in the Indiana Landmarks Walking Tour of Historic Meridian Park  May 16: Hosting a walk for students from Phalen Leadership Academy as an “active stop” on a field trip  August 27/28: Indiana’s First Walking Summit! A 2-day conference hosted by Health by Design  September 13: Leading tours as part of Destination Fall Creek’s “Celebration Fall Creek” event.

2014 Calendar  Ongoing:  Continue meeting with neighborhood organizations in the Mid-North area and around the City.  Working towards our goals of having walk-routes in all six Mid-North neighborhoods.  Expanding partnerships with other organizations that promote walking and healthy living, organizing and assisting with events that focus on walking and connecting with your neighborhood.  Encourage the formation of walking groups - walking at your time and at your pace and walking safely and effectively.  Walk Meets!

Partnerships/Engagement IndyGo Indiana State Fair Commission Mid-North Quality of Life Health by Design LISC Historic Meridian Park Historic Watson Park Ransom Place Marion County Health Department City of Indianapolis Department of Public Safety Phalen Leadership Academy Historic Meridian Park Destination Fall Creek Keep Indianapolis Beautiful