Strategy: Create a county-wide Parks and Recreation Department that includes family-based activities and unites existing youth activities.

Who, what, when, how?

1. Maintain calendar of events and list of opportunities and contact information.

This will be the first area of focus for completing this strategy.

2. Investigate why we don’t have one, how do other communities support it? 

3. Find out what we need to do to get one.

4. Initiate involvement with Sidney, Sidney Chamber of Commerce and Fairview’s Park and Recreation board.  Approach interested parties in Savage and Lambert. Talk to the Boys & Girls Club about coordinating registration.

5. Research laws in MT related to Parks and Recreation departments.

6. Research possible sources of funding.  Go to the County Commissioners for funding or to add duties to an existing position.

7. Develop a job description for a Parks and Recreation director.

8. Find out benefits of having a Parks and Recreation department, such as economic, etc.  Also, look at county capacity for a Parks and Recreation department (space, funding, etc.)

9. Survey on Sidney Herald website.

Strategy: Focus on providing physical activity options for all age groups.

Who, what, when, how?

1. Support and connect events that promote physical activity, and encourage people to participate in events throughout the year to keep up interest and excitement.

Begin by supporting Patti Iverson’s walking marathon, Strong Women, Strong Bones, and creating a clearinghouse of opportunities.  Encourage organizers to advertise for other events and keep public interest up through press (the Sidney Herald will be doing a regular feature page on health issues and opportunities).

2. Assess current options for physical activity and update assessment options. 

3. Categorize options by age group.

4. Identify funding for low income youth to participate in sports.  Check into Foundation for Community Care and the Education Foundation.

5. Encourage provider prescriptions for exercise. Investigate options for follow-up and clinical wellness project referrals.

6. Investigate “new/different” exercise techniques (such as boot camp themes, etc.) and new times to offer options.  Get people trained to teach new classes.

Individuals are putting together walking and biking groups which can connect people with similar interests.

7. Check with the wellness committee at schools about having organized physical activity during lunch.

8. Approach the Senior Coalition to address issues with seniors and measure level of interest.  Use the survey created by Alanna Maurais (VISTA).

The VISTA survey indicated that seniors felt the timing for the lights on Central was too short and many sidewalks around town are uneven.

9. Work with HealthWorks to solidify a senior discount.  Meet with Scott Doty to discuss the Silver Sneakers program.  Look into Medicare payments for memberships. Help fundraise for new equipment and staff for HealthWorks to accommodate of new members.

Healthworks now offers full membership to individuals with Humana insurance and has gotten started with the Silver Sneakers program to provide discounts to seniors.  They are also installing a walking track and starting a Kids Club at a time when parents can also come and work out as an option for parents.

10. Initiate contact with Public Schools and City about walking path. (Ben Larson and Bret Smelser)

There are some limited funds, one possibility is to add more benches with these funds.

11. Investigate current and possible transportation options, such as the bus system bringing county residents to HealthWorks.

12. Implement worksite wellness programs with local employers

Sidney Health Center is restarting worksite wellness and Judy Johnson (Extension Office) is working on a Strong Women, Strong Bones program that can be used for worksite wellness.

Strategy: Form subcommittees to address specific needs and undertake projects to serve each age group.

Who, what, when, how?

1. Find interested individuals for these groups and address community need.

Use feedback and invite participants at State of the Community Conference

Strategy: Increase bike and pedestrian safety

Who, what, when, how?

1. Extend sidewalks/bike path to Richland Park, possibly using existing drainage system.

2. Investigate the use of funding from former irrigation project and also potential community block grants (CTEP) for bike path extension.

3. Look into possible roadblocks with regulations on use of irrigation canals/drainage system roads.

4. Contact the mayor to see where they are in their process.

5. Contact Terry Meldahl for help in writing the block grant.

6. Talk to Russ Huotari and the County Commissioners to get them onboard (he allocates the money from the grants).
   
   
   

Strategy: Create a sustainable helmet use incentive program.

This strategy will probably be implemented by the Public Safety action group.

1. Create a reward program for police officers to use when they see a child wearing a helmet.

2. Find funding and/or donations to support the program and provide rewards. Approach Schwan’s, local grocers and businesses, etc.

Strategy: Find ways to utilize resources and opportunities for seasonal recreation.

1. Investigate possibilities for winter seasonal recreation like cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and other activities.

The golf course or bike paths might provide an area for cross-country skiing.

2. Investigate the state of any hiking trails and ways to publicize them.