An active, healthy community is a place where everyone can live safely and get involved in activities they enjoy. People feel connected and are quick to volunteer and help each other out. Everyone has easy access to safe places to be active. The community offers inviting and affordable public parks and playgrounds; trails and sidewalks; swimming pools, arenas, and libraries. Low-cost healthy food is readily available, both in local stores and schools.

• the community’s design supports being active;
• everyone in the community has the chance to be active;
• people want to be involved in the community.

Designing an Active Community

Careful design is key to an active community. Communities designed for active living connect people with their environment and with each other, making them want to be active and involved.

Stores, parks, playgrounds, recreation centres, schools, churches, and libraries are located near where people live. Safe, well lit sidewalks and good public transportation help people reach the places they need to go. Street crossings are designed with safety in mind. Networks of trails encourage people to walk or cycle for both business and pleasure, a safe distance from traffic. Streets and walkways are pleasing to stroll along, with activities along the way and interesting places to go.

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Everyone Can Be Active

Active communities provide opportunities for all who live there. Everyone can use public facilities and programs, including people in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty getting around. Parks have accessible trails, recreation centres have wheelchair ramps, and people are happy to assist anyone who needs extra help.

Walkways are well maintained and meet the needs of all ages and abilities, with benches, ramped curbs, bicycle parking, drinking fountains, and rest rooms. People who work long or unusual hours have places and programs where they can be active. Children walk to school, parks, playgrounds, and their friends’ houses without fearing for their safety.

Getting Everyone Involved in the Community

In an active, healthy community, citizens are involved. They feel they belong, so they want to make their communities and neighbourhoods great places to live.

Nearly half (48%) of Albertans aged 15 and older volunteered in 2004, donating an average of 175 hours each (Imagine Canada, 2004, www.givingandvolunteering.ca). Volunteers help coach sports teams, lead 4H clubs, run town councils, work on school committees, participate in community leagues, support local charities, serve on church committees, and advocate for positive change. If a community problem comes up, there are people who want to pitch in to solve it.

Places Where People Can Lead Active, Healthy Lives

Active, healthy communities are designed to help people lead healthy, active lives. There are many places and ways to get involved, and many people participate actively. Public parks, programs, and facilities are welcoming, affordable, and accessible. Volunteerism is popular and valued. People in healthy communities take pride in working together to create places where life is fulfilling and fun.

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Learn More

Bikeability Checklist: How Bikeable Is Your Community?
To find out how easy it is for you to cycle in your community, first read the questions on the bikeability checklist, then go for a ride. After your ride, rate your community by answering the questions. Suggestions for improving your community's score range from asking for bike racks on buses to starting a bicycle advocacy group.

Community Activity Quotient
This tool measures a community's “Activity Quotient” on 35 activity-friendly items, including safety, facilities, leadership, and more.

Fitting Places: How the Built Environment Affects Active Living and Active Transportation
This information will interest people who want to find out how urban design affects our ability to be physically active.

Ideas for Planning Greenways and Trails for Healthy Lifestyles
If you’re involved in trail planning in urban areas, you’ll be interested in answers to questions raised at a community workshop in Calgary.

Walkability Checklist
To find out how easy it is for you to walk in your community, first read the questions on the walkability checklist, then go for a walk. After your walk, rate your community by answering the questions.  The booklet provides you with suggestions for ways to fix problems you find.