OverviewThrough a recent grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is leading an effort to increase pedestrian planning efforts occurring in South Carolina. The effort is part of the DHEC SC Prevention and Health Across Systems and Environments (PHASE) Pedestrian Planning Project.
SC PHASE Pedestrian Planning is a 3 year project in which Alta Planning + Design (Alta) will develop a pedestrian-focused master plan, neighborhood/area plan, or implementation plan for 16 communities in specific counties in the state. Beyond the basic tenets of walkability and pedestrian safety, key elements of the program initiative are: 1) equity-based planning 2) community engagement and 3) safe pedestrian access to healthy foods. In consultation with Alta, DHEC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity and regional staff have chosen the City of Chester as one of the 16 communities for the opportunity to receive pedestrian planning services. |
Project Goals
The goals of this grant program coincide with the objectives and target outcomes of DHEC’s recently released SCaledown.org, the South Carolina Obesity Action Plan 2014-2019. Through developing or implementing community plans that promote walking and increase access to healthy foods in 15 targeted counties, DHEC will be taking measurable steps towards the vision of a South
Carolina that has:
» Safe, accessible neighborhood parks, paths, sidewalks, and trails
» Active commuting such as biking and walking
» Access to local farmers markets and community gardens
The outcomes of the three-year project will advance the community goal to “improve the community environment to increase access to affordable fruits and vegetables, education about healthy eating and physical activity, and to provide more opportunities for safe physical activity,” and will specifically fulfill the objective to “increase the number of bike or pedestrian master plans in SC.
Carolina that has:
» Safe, accessible neighborhood parks, paths, sidewalks, and trails
» Active commuting such as biking and walking
» Access to local farmers markets and community gardens
The outcomes of the three-year project will advance the community goal to “improve the community environment to increase access to affordable fruits and vegetables, education about healthy eating and physical activity, and to provide more opportunities for safe physical activity,” and will specifically fulfill the objective to “increase the number of bike or pedestrian master plans in SC.
The Planning ProcessThe development of the Walk Chester Plan includes a public process, featuring input from key stakeholders and the general public. Outreach includes project website, a user comment form, public outreach sessions, and a final public hearing presentation to the City Council.
These and other steps in the process are outlined below:
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