What's Happening in Lacey, WA…

Andy Ryder, Lacey's mayor, has joined other mayors across the country in the “10-minute walk” campaign. The effort is being spearheaded by the National Recreation and Park Association, The Trust for Public Land, and the Urban Land Institute.

The organisations are joining to set the goal of having all Americans living within a half-mile, which is about a ten-minute walk, of a green space or park.

This effort is bipartisan, and mayors of cities of all sizes, including Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, have signed on. The U.S. Conference of Mayors, a group that represents over 1,000 mayors from throughout the United States, passed a resolution encouraging all its members to pursue this goal. The resolution passed unanimously, and more than 130 mayors have already agreed to the idea.

Studies have shown that parks provide cities and their residents with many benefits, including improved mental and physical health; a boost to the local economy; a chance to build communities; and an improved environment.

Mayor Ryder said he finds parks vitally important to cities everywhere, and approves of the “10-minute walk” idea. The Lacey Parks & Recreation Department updated its comprehensive plan recently to include the idea of having a park within a half-mile of every resident. The City Council approved the plan.

Efforts like this can have a wide impact, so officials might consider working with a newsletter printing company on a letter to update residents.