Healthy Built Environment

The Healthy Built Environment Work Group promotes active lifestyles by working with policymakers to increase and improve trails, sidewalks, public transit, parks and other community resources.

The Work Group supports efforts to:

  • Building and maintaining sidewalks, bikeways, and trails where people can safely walk, roll, or use other forms of active transportation
  • Increasing the variety of opportunities for physical activity, including indoor recreation centers, parks, and other open spaces
  • Encouraging walking and biking to school, work, and other activities
  • Undertaking efforts to increase safety for people who are walking, biking, and otherwise being active outdoors (and thus reducing non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries on public roads in the county)

Recent Workgroup Accomplishments

The Healthy Built Environment Work Group, through the coalition’s Pathways grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, supported the development of on-bike safety education at Baldwin Junior High and funded the purchase of fleet of bicycles used for the program.

LiveWell Annual Celebration Breakfast Awards

As part of its annual celebration, on Friday, November 19, 2022 the LiveWell Douglas County coalition awarded Culture of Health Action Awards to both coalition members and community partners whose efforts have helped improve the health and well-being of Douglas County residents.

Healthy Built Environment honored several long-time leaders of the Work Group. Dot Nary, Chris Tilden, and Gary Webber have all been actively involved in the Work Group almost from its inception, and have served in work group leadership roles and have been engaged in countless efforts in Lawrence and Douglas County to build a stronger network for walking and biking both as a form of recreation and transportation.

Resources

For more information about joining, go to Get Involved.

Work Group Leadership

  1. Healthy Food for All 2023 Culture of Health Champion

    The 2023 LiveWell Healthy Food for All Culture of Health Champion is Emily Lysen. Read on...
  2. SVP 2023 Culture of Health Champion

    The 2023 LiveWell Douglas County Sexual Violence Prevention Culture of Health Champion is Margot Self. Margot serves as the community advocacy program manager in Douglas County at the Willow Domestic Violence Center. Read on...
  3. Celebrating Partnerships and Better Health in Douglas County

    LiveWell Douglas County and the Douglas County Community Foundation gathered to celebrate community partners working to improve health and well-being in Douglas County on November 17, 2023. Read on...
  4. New Lawrence Loop Map Available

    A new Lawrence Loop Map is available. Descriptions were developed to help trail users enjoy their experience on the Lawrence Loop by identifying sections of the Loop that will suit their interests and abilities. Trail lengths are approximate. Read on...
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