New Albany’s Commitment to Health
New Albany is striving to become the healthiest city in the country.
It all began in 2005 when 900 athletes stepped to the starting line to participate in what has now become the largest walking-only race in the country, the New Albany Walking Classic. Little was it known at the time that the Walk would become the impetus for an innovative and dynamic movement that would change the landscape of how communities could promote the health and well-being of their residents. Welcome to Healthy New Albany, a not-for-profit grassroots initiative.
It Takes a Village
New Albany was a village until 2011, when its population increase warranted its change to the designation of a city. But Healthy New Albany had its roots in the village of New Albany.
As the Walking Classic became more of an iconic event, greater emphasis began to be placed on the importance of participating in this event not only for competition, but also for health. The Walk gradually evolved into a pervading attitude that physical activity was integral to well-being. Participation in the Walk eventually led to the creation of an accompanying health and fitness expo. And the movement began to gain momentum.
In 2010, the New Albany Community Foundation convened a group of committed and enthusiastic community volunteers who wanted to make health a priority for all New Albany residents. Healthy New Albany was born. Its mission was to implement, organize, develop and coordinate health-related programs and activities that would serve as a national model for how a community promotes a culture of health.
Through evidence-based research, its achievements would be validated. And so began a campaign that would help showcase the city of New Albany as the healthiest city in America, with the hope that other cities might follow a similar course.
A Journey Begun
In no time, an army of volunteers began their march, conquering initiative after initiative.
A very successful farmers’ market was implemented with more than 50 vendors and a waiting list of many others. A popular community garden was created thanks to land donated by the city, with all 75 plots claimed. Community lectures focusing on a myriad of health topics were held and attended by large numbers of residents. Healthy New Albany Magazine proved to be a widely anticipated community publication that is delivered for free, bimonthly to every New Albany residence.
Where We’ve Landed
The city of New Albany has made health a priority by committing funds to build a Healthy New Albany Center focused on illness prevention rather than sick care.
With land donated by the New Albany Company, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital committed to the Healthy New Albany project. A unique personalized fitness center staffed with exercise physiologists, nutritionists and health coaches will oversee activities in one part of the facility. Lap and therapeutic pools will be available for use by members and Healthy New Albany programming, and activities will take place in another part of the 55,000-square-foot center. Healthy New Albany will offer workshops, meeting facilities for community activities, lectures and cooking classes in its demonstration kitchen. A plethora of activities for those who work, live and are educated in New Albany will be interwoven throughout the community.
Challenge Family choosing to host the Challenge New Albany triathlon here is just one example of the reputation our community is gaining as a pinnacle of health. This event will be yet another great way for New Albany citizens – and people from all over the country – to express their commitment to wellness and staying physically active.
With some of the best researchers in the country evaluating the impact of the many interventions that will take place, New Albany is on schedule toward becoming the healthiest city in America.
