The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors has approved a proclamation declaring May 19 as Buena Vista County Walk Day, backing a new countywide effort to promote physical activity and reduce obesity.
Public Health Administrator Tracy Gotto and Assistant Administrator Lacey Anderson presented the request at yesterday morning’s board meeting, tying it to the county’s Community Health Improvement Plan.
Gotto told supervisors the county still has one major CHIP goal left to tackle.
He said the trend is moving in the wrong direction.
Buena Vista County currently ranks 36th in the state, with an estimated 40 percent obesity rate. Gotto said the department is launching a campaign called “Walking Away to a Healthier Buena Vista.”
He highlighted the county’s parks, trails, and the nearly full loop around Storm Lake as ideal places to get moving.
The department is also working with the city to install “bench workout” signs in parks — colorful displays showing simple exercises people can do using a park bench, said Gotto.
Gotto and Anderson asked the board to formally designate May 19 as a county walk day, with a rain date of May 26th. They plan to encourage residents to walk over the lunch hour — wherever they are — and submit photos to be featured on social media.
The campaign will continue through the summer with ongoing walking promotions.
