Active Living Hennepin County

Active Living is a way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines and destinations, through activities such as biking, walking and/or taking transit.

Why Active Living is important

• Improves physical and mental health
• Decreases risk of chronic disease and associated medical costs
• Reduces transportation costs
• Improves air quality
• Builds safer, stronger communities
• Improves quality of life
  

About our work

Active Living Hennepin County (ALHC) is supported by a partnership of cities, businesses and nonprofits working together to increase opportunities for daily physical activity.  We consider policies and practices that create opportunities to be more active on a daily basis, including walking and bicycling.

ALHC was launched in 2006 with grant funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Hennepin County.  Since 2009, we have also been funded through the Minnesota Department of Health's Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP).

During 2006 and 2007, we conducted an assessment of the opportunities and barriers to active living. The assessment led to the development of our Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles, which guides our work.  It also led to the creation of subcommittees that now carry out the majority of our work and plan special events such as our Get Out, Get Active campaign and Building Cultural Competencies workshops in 2011.

Taking the lead

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the county's first Active Living Resolution in October 2007.  This laid the foundation for the development and implementation of our Active Living Policies in June and July of 2009, as well as for our work on Complete Streets.  Implementation of these policies is ongoing.