When they go to the grocery store, to school or to work, most people jostle to find the parking spot closest to the front door. Broomfield’s mayor, Karen Stuart, is different: She tries to find the parking spot that is the most distant. She knows, for example, that she will take 168 extra steps if she parks in the parking space farthest from city hall, 254 extra steps at the community center and 334 extra steps at Broomfield’s police building.
She wants others to know this as well, which is why Broomfield is planning to put up signs telling people how many extra steps they’ll take if they park in the farthest parking spot at municipal buildings. It may sound odd, but it’s all part of an America On the Move challenge that has Stuart and other mayors across the metro area vying to see who can take the most steps each day.
Jim Hill, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a founder of America On the Move, says the idea is to get people walking just 2,000 more steps a day and eating just 200 fewer calories – about the same as a pat of butter. “We’re not talking about huge lifestyle changes that people can’t sustain,” he says. “You don’t have to switch to tofu and broccoli.”
Helen Thompson, a registered dietician and director of America On the Move projects in Colorado, says communities can help make it easier for people to get fit. So she and Hill took their message to the Metro Mayors Caucus, where they were met with an enthusiastic reception.
Catherine Marinelli, program director for the caucus, says the mayors were interested in the approach because, although Colorado ranks high in healthy lifestyles compared with other states, the rate of obesity is rising steeply here, as it is in the rest of the U.S. “The mayors want to stop that increase by encouraging active living,” she says. “They want to set an example for the community.”
The mayors have all received ped- ometers and have been recording the steps they walk on an Internet site. According to Marinelli, since Feb. 8, the mayors have logged 6.5 million steps, the equivalent of more than 3,200 miles. “They are taking at least a million steps per week,” she says.
One community in particular – Broomfield – has taken the America On the Move challenge to heart. Stuart brought the concept to Broomfield’s city council, and councilmembers are now wearing pedometers and challenging one another to see who can take the most steps each week.
In addition, Broomfield has established a number of activities to encourage people to get more exercise, including Trails Adventure and America On the Move walks, a Silver Sneakers walking program for seniors, a National Walk to School Day for children and a Walk with the Mayor challenge. But Stuart is especially proud that Broomfield has inserted language into its comprehensive plan to encourage “walkability.”
“When a developer wants to build in Broomfield, he knows he’ll be asked what off-street paths will be in the proposed development, how pedestrians will be able to cross streets safely and where bike paths will be planned,” she says. “The comprehensive plan puts developers on notice that we want these kinds of elements in any new development.”
Pulte Homes, which is building a new, 2,700-acre development in north Broomfield, got the message. The development, which will have 1,500 homes, 865 acres of open space and more than 35 miles of trails, has attracted the attention of the National Association of Counties. The association will honor Broomfield and Pulte Homes with an “innovative partnership on health, wellness and sustainability” award later this month.
Stuart, who became a convert to the America On the Move model three years ago, lost 30 pounds by walking more and using a pedometer. “It just took being aware and making small lifestyle changes,” she says. “Just a few more steps and a few less calories. Everyone – and every community – should try it.”
For suggestions on what individuals and communities can do to be healthier, visit AmericaOnTheMove.org.
