Active Living In
Santa Ana (ALISA)
Leah Fraser, PhD
Director of Policy
Latino Health Access
PARTNERS
Warwick Community
Center
American Diabetes
Association
Bienvenida a Santa Ana!
„
Santa Ana is the largest city in Orange County by
population.
„
It is the 3rd most densely populated city is the
United States. Over 375,000 people crowded into a
27.1 square mile area.
„
Santa Ana is over 76% Hispanic. Santa Ana has
the highest concentration of Spanish-speaking
residents in the nation.
Childhood obesity and Type II diabetes are
particularly prevalent among Latinos.
„
Santa Ana Socio-Economics
„
Santa Ana has the highest poverty rate in the
county with a median household income that is
$20,000 less than that of other Orange County
cities.
„
Santa Ana is the youngest city of its size in the
United States. Median age is 26 years old.
„
Numerous studies have shown a direct correlation
between poverty and obesity.
„
Santa Ana has the highest obesity rate in the
county.
Santa Ana Health
„
More than 70 percent of Santa Ana adults
are overweight or obese.
„
34% of Santa Ana youth are overweight
or obese.
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Our youth continue to rank the second worst
in the State for fitness.
Although these statistics are staggering,
they are not insurmountable.
„
Santa Ana Environment
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The built environment in the City of Santa Ana
affects the overall health of the population.
„
0.9 acres/ 1,000 residents of park space.
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This is less than both Los Angeles and NYC.
Alcohol Establishments: 1 per 1,012 people
Public Parks: 1 per 9,495 people
SANTA ANA- FRENCH PARK
SANTA ANA STREETS
THIS IS IN SANTA ANA
A SCHOOL FIELD CLOSED AFTER-HOURS
Santa Ana: Opportunity Knocks
„
5 Keys to Active Living.
Preparation
Promotion
Programs
Policy
Physical Projects
Preparation: Multiple Strategies
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Walkability Assessments.
Public Opinion Polling.
Community Surveys of Park Use/
Attitudes.
California Convergence Meeting (part
of Obesity Conference in January
2007).
Promotion: Events
„
All partners in ALISA participate in city-wide events
during the year.
„ “Youth Expo!” October publicity.
„ “Celebrate Santa Ana” May media attention.
Latino Health Access Staff finishing Annual
“Rubber Boot Race”, January 2007
Promotion: City of Santa Ana
Program: SALUD
•The Safe and Active Living United
District (SALUD) is a health and
wellness program implemented by
the Parks & Recreation Department
in an effort to reverse the growing
obesity trend among Santa Ana
residents.
•Educates residents on the health
benefits of utilizing the bike trails
and parks for physical fitness
activities.
Policy: Opportunities
„
Potential policies to increase opportunities
for physical activity:
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Increase safety in the neighborhoods
General Plan and Santa Ana Renaissance Plan
include plans for open space.
Create more parks (LHA Park & Community
Center)
Add community & recreation centers
Increased use of open space Santa Ana River
Negotiate joint-use between city and SAUSD
Policy: Walkability Infrastructure
Policy: Redevelopment
Santa Ana Renaissance Plan
Policy: Community Park
LATINO HEALTH ACCESS FUTURE PARK
Physical Projects: Trails
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Thornton Bike Trail Renovation.
Santiago Park Trailhead Project.
Santiago Creek Bike Trail.
MacArthur Blvd. Trailhead
Enhancement.
Physical Projects:
Parks & Recreation Center
„
Santa Ana Stadium Artificial Turf.
Delhi Park Turf & Irrigation.
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Memorial Center Renovation.
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Santa Ana River Enhancement Project
(pending).
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Program & Project Synergy:
Madison Park N.A. Example
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The Madison Park Neighborhood Association
formed the first SALUD in Santa Ana.
Community members meet monthly to discuss
ways to reduce safety concerns in the park and trail
system, to improve the look of these areas, and
most importantly to organize the neighborhood to
develop a passion to use the park and trails to stay
healthy and fit.
The SALUD program is innovative in that it serves
as the first true example of a City program that
seeks to improve the community’s overall health
while at the same time promotes the use of outdoor
public facilities as one of its solutions.
Madison Park N.A.
„
Madison Park established with the City an Annual Community
Walk-a-Thon.
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The Madison Neighborhood Association held its first Walk-AThon, Resource Fair and Concert at Madison Park in August
2005.
„
Research has proven that a person’s level of physical activity
depends on the neighborhood, in particular, access,
convenience, and safety of spaces for activity.
„
The SALUD walking clubs address the safety and security
concerns of the neighborhoods by encouraging that residents
walk in large groups and utilize the City’s parks and
recreational trails for its physical activities.
Lesson 1: Maximizing SALUD
• Project SALUD is a strategy for producing
an organized “grass roots” effort to increase
active living activities in Santa Ana.
•
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Sessions are organized by city staff.
Is this a sustainable model given the 50+ active
neighborhoods?
Is this cost-effective for Parks & Recreation staff given
that community workers/ stipended volunteers could
also be trained to lead the groups?
Lesson 2: Streamlining Strategies
„
California Convergence Conference raised
several issues regarding funding of ALbD
and other environmental change- grants.
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What will funding look like into the future? Will
foundations work together to streamline framing
and evaluation of these projects?
For example, similar interventions and activities
are reported in VERY different ways to various
foundations. This is time-consuming and often
confusing for community staff.
Lesson 3: Policy Change
Needs Advocates
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In the ALISA collaborative there are various
government agencies represented. This is
critical, as it creates internal buy-in to the
concepts and goals.
Yet, there is a need to realize that these
staff often cannot sound-off on critical policy
decisions being made by elected officials.
There is a need for more advocacy
organizations to be a part of collaboratives.
Lesson 4: A Price for Policy
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There needs to be support for
advocacy organizations to participate
in these collaboratives.
It is unrealistic to expect advocacy
organizations to participate without
funding for their efforts.
THANK YOU!!
For More Information:
Leah Fraser, PhD
Director of Policy
714.542.7792
[email protected]