News Release
March 17, 2010
Contact information

Arlington designated a Governor's Fit City

Arlington earns recognition for promoting physical activity


Governor Tim Pawlenty and the Governor's Health Cabinet announced today that Arlington has been designated a Governor's Fit City. The city earned the recognition by making a commitment to support and encourage its residents to be more physically active and to improve the overall health of the community.

"The leaders of Arlington have made a strong commitment to provide physical activity opportunities for people in their city," Governor Pawlenty said. "This commitment will help keep Arlington citizens healthy for years to come."

Arlington achieved its designation by completing an application with the Minnesota Department of Health. The application asks cities to indicate their commitment to promoting physical activity, according to several criteria. Those criteria include whether a city has created inviting places to walk; whether a city has adopted a value statement affirming the importance of fitness; whether a city has sponsored at least one fitness activity; and whether a city has developed recreation areas that encourage fitness.

Arlington is committed to implementing a number of strategies for promoting physical activity, including:

  • Raising awareness of active living concepts through public dialogue.
  • Partnering with organizations that support physical activity (e.g., the Prairie Line Trail Organization, Sibley County Public Health).
  • Continuing support and implementation of measures that increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety (e.g., Safe Routes to School program, Walkability Community Workshop Action Plan, sidewalk repair/replacement program, pedestrian and bicycle connection/continuity plan and mapping of walking and biking routes).

"Physical activity improves nearly every aspect of a person's health and contributes to better health overall for communities," Commissioner of Health Dr. Sanne Magnan said. "We encourage all cities to become Governor's Fit Cities."

Arlington will receive a plaque from Governor Pawlenty and may also choose to have Governor's Fit City signs placed on roadways entering the city.

The Governor's Fit City initiative is part of an overall push by Governor Pawlenty to encourage fitness. The governor declared 2005 The Year of Fitness in Minnesota and created the Governor's Fitness Challenge. More information about the Governor's Fit City program can be found at www.health.state.mn.us/fitcity.

-MDH-

For more information, contact:

John Stieger
MDH Communications
651-201-4998