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  • CENTER FOR ACTIVEWV
  • COLLEGE OF APPLIED HUMAN SCIENCES
  • WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
  • CENTER FOR ACTIVEWV
  • COLLEGE OF APPLIED HUMAN SCIENCES
  • WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
NEWSLETTERS
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Be ActiveWV Grant Program

About the Project

The Be ActiveWV Grant Program is a community-based project that aims to improve the health of West Virginians by supporting projects that increase access to physical activity. The project will focus on improving the health of communities through increasing opportunities for physical activity for children throughout the school day and beyond, increasing or improving pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and creating opportunities for physical activity referrals in healthcare settings.

The Be ActiveWV Grant Program is a partnership between West Virginia College of Applied Human Sciences Sciences, and West Virginia Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, Bureau of Public Health. The project partners recognize that there are communities and organizations all over the state who are making strides to improve the health of West Virginia. With this unique opportunity, the collaboration will engage and support communities who are working to increase access to physical activity throughout the state.

Year One Partners

This is a sign and trail for the Mon River Trails funded partner.This is a sign and trail for the Mon River Trails funded partner.

Mon River Trails Conservancy

Reedsville Trail Connector Project
The Mon River Trails Conservancy worked with the Reedsville Town Council and Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission to plan and build the connector from the Deckers Creek Rail-Trail to downtown Reedsville. The Reedsville Trail Connector is a ½ mile link from the Deckers Creek Rail-Trail to the Reedsville Park and downtown businesses. A small section of this connector is trail, but most of the connector uses back neighborhood roads that have minimal traffic. Connectors, such as this one, make it easier for all people to access the trail by walking, biking, or adaptive equipment on a combined route of a non-motorized trail and fairly flat, low trafficked road. The route will be signed to direct trail users to the Reedsville community park and several town businesses.
This is a group selfie for the Walk with a Future Doc funded partner.This is a group selfie for the Walk with a Future Doc funded partner.

WVU School of Medicine

Walk with a Future Doc Program
Walk with a Future Doc is a free program for individuals to achieve 60 minutes of physical activity while sparking conversation with medical students, physicians, and other participants. It has become a great way to engage medical providers with community members. By partnering with physicians at WVU Medicine and medical students at WVU, this program allowed for great conversation and education on relevant health topics pertinent to the WV population. The biweekly virtual walks have engaged participants in both physical and mental wellness while also educating participants on topics health topics such as the benefits of exercise, how exercise affects sleep, Fad Diets and more!
These are signs for the Williamson Health and Wellness funded partner.These are signs for the Williamson Health and Wellness funded partner.

Williamson Health and Wellness Center, Inc.

Storybook Walking Trail
To improve access and awareness of opportunities for physical activity in Mingo County, Williamson Health and Wellness, Inc. worked with a student led health ambassadors program at Williamson PK-8 School to improve signage and establish a Storybook Walking Trail. The health ambassador student group led discussions and engaged in the process of designing the trail signs and reviewing books to use along the trail. Williamson Health & Wellness Center maintenance staff constructed the boxes and Fresh Start Mingo County crew members dug and cemented the posts into the holes to install the book boxes.
This is a map and the group for the Healthy Berkeley funded partner.This is a map and the group for the Healthy Berkeley funded partner.

Healthy Berkeley

Improving and Bring Awareness to Local Trails
The goal of the Healthy Berkeley Trail Project is to increase physical activity of Berkeley County residents by promoting trails and walking paths that are accessible to all. Many residents are not aware of physical activity opportunities available within their communities. The first steps of the Trail Project were to inventory trails in Berkeley County, upload the trail inventory to the WV Health Connection website, and then promote the website and trails to public and health professionals in Berkeley County. The project then made improvements to local trails by adding a Trail Map and directional signs to the trail at Poor House Farm Park, and will be adding exercise equipment to a trail being developed on the campus of Berkeley Medical Center. Finally, the Trail Project is working with WVU Medicine Cancer Institute to promote the BMC trail and exercise stations that will be installed.
This is part of the road for the Shenandoah Community Health funded partner.This is part of the road for the Shenandoah Community Health funded partner.

Shenandoah Community Health Foundation

A Prescription for Good Health
Shenandoah Community Health Foundation restored a deteriorated 2006 walking trail and installed exercise stations adjacent to the trail. The project is the catalyst to promote on-site activity options for patients and staff at the SCH multidisciplinary facility in Martinsburg, WV. SCH launched a "prescription initiative"-- pre-printed prescriptions for activity and health education sessions distributed by clinicians to their patients. Patients are invited to accompany a clinician for a periodic "Walk with a Provider" and with nurse health educators for health education combined with a demonstration of the importance of physical activity to establish and maintain good health.
This is the playground for the Kanawha State Forest Foundation funded partner.This is the playground for the Kanawha State Forest Foundation funded partner.

Kanawha State Forest Foundation

ADA Accessible Playground and Braille Interactive Signs on the Spotted Salamander Trail
The Kanawha State Forest Foundation installed wheelchair-accessible playground, the first of its kind in the State of West Virginia, with a wheelchair-platform swing installed on a pour-in place rubber foundation. Prior to the installation the KSFF staff talked with visitors in wheelchairs and planned the project based on their input for preferred materials and equipment. The braille activities board was installed by volunteers next to the Spotted Salamander Trail and accommodates both disabled and able-bodied visitors in expanding interactive exercise and play options at the forest. Additionally, Sheri Koch, president of the National Federation of the Blind WV, visited the new addition and contributed in adding braille descriptions to the interpretive signs on the Spotted Salamander Trail.
This is a sign and trail for the Mon River Trails funded partner.

Mon River Trails Conservancy

Reedsville Trail Connector Project
The Mon River Trails Conservancy worked with the Reedsville Town Council and Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission to plan and build the connector from the Deckers Creek Rail-Trail to downtown Reedsville. The Reedsville Trail Connector is a ½ mile link from the Deckers Creek Rail-Trail to the Reedsville Park and downtown businesses. A small section of this connector is trail, but most of the connector uses back neighborhood roads that have minimal traffic. Connectors, such as this one, make it easier for all people to access the trail by walking, biking, or adaptive equipment on a combined route of a non-motorized trail and fairly flat, low trafficked road. The route will be signed to direct trail users to the Reedsville community park and several town businesses.
This is a group selfie for the Walk with a Future Doc funded partner.

WVU School of Medicine

Walk with a Future Doc Program
Walk with a Future Doc is a free program for individuals to achieve 60 minutes of physical activity while sparking conversation with medical students, physicians, and other participants. It has become a great way to engage medical providers with community members. By partnering with physicians at WVU Medicine and medical students at WVU, this program allowed for great conversation and education on relevant health topics pertinent to the WV population. The biweekly virtual walks have engaged participants in both physical and mental wellness while also educating participants on topics health topics such as the benefits of exercise, how exercise affects sleep, Fad Diets and more!
These are signs for the Williamson Health and Wellness funded partner.

Williamson Health and Wellness Center, Inc.

Storybook Walking Trail
To improve access and awareness of opportunities for physical activity in Mingo County, Williamson Health and Wellness, Inc. worked with a student led health ambassadors program at Williamson PK-8 School to improve signage and establish a Storybook Walking Trail. The health ambassador student group led discussions and engaged in the process of designing the trail signs and reviewing books to use along the trail. Williamson Health & Wellness Center maintenance staff constructed the boxes and Fresh Start Mingo County crew members dug and cemented the posts into the holes to install the book boxes.
This is a map and the group for the Healthy Berkeley funded partner.

Healthy Berkeley

Improving and Bring Awareness to Local Trails
The goal of the Healthy Berkeley Trail Project is to increase physical activity of Berkeley County residents by promoting trails and walking paths that are accessible to all. Many residents are not aware of physical activity opportunities available within their communities. The first steps of the Trail Project were to inventory trails in Berkeley County, upload the trail inventory to the WV Health Connection website, and then promote the website and trails to public and health professionals in Berkeley County. The project then made improvements to local trails by adding a Trail Map and directional signs to the trail at Poor House Farm Park, and will be adding exercise equipment to a trail being developed on the campus of Berkeley Medical Center. Finally, the Trail Project is working with WVU Medicine Cancer Institute to promote the BMC trail and exercise stations that will be installed.
This is part of the road for the Shenandoah Community Health funded partner.

Shenandoah Community Health Foundation

A Prescription for Good Health
Shenandoah Community Health Foundation restored a deteriorated 2006 walking trail and installed exercise stations adjacent to the trail. The project is the catalyst to promote on-site activity options for patients and staff at the SCH multidisciplinary facility in Martinsburg, WV. SCH launched a "prescription initiative"-- pre-printed prescriptions for activity and health education sessions distributed by clinicians to their patients. Patients are invited to accompany a clinician for a periodic "Walk with a Provider" and with nurse health educators for health education combined with a demonstration of the importance of physical activity to establish and maintain good health.
This is the playground for the Kanawha State Forest Foundation funded partner.

Kanawha State Forest Foundation

ADA Accessible Playground and Braille Interactive Signs on the Spotted Salamander Trail
The Kanawha State Forest Foundation installed wheelchair-accessible playground, the first of its kind in the State of West Virginia, with a wheelchair-platform swing installed on a pour-in place rubber foundation. Prior to the installation the KSFF staff talked with visitors in wheelchairs and planned the project based on their input for preferred materials and equipment. The braille activities board was installed by volunteers next to the Spotted Salamander Trail and accommodates both disabled and able-bodied visitors in expanding interactive exercise and play options at the forest. Additionally, Sheri Koch, president of the National Federation of the Blind WV, visited the new addition and contributed in adding braille descriptions to the interpretive signs on the Spotted Salamander Trail.
Learn More About Year One Projects

Find out more about some of our year one success stories by following one of the below links:

Learn More About Year Two Projects

Find out more about some of our year two success stories by following the link below:

  • ACCESS WV: Develop a trail system that integrates all existing trails, both public and private access in Wayne County- Including access point for canoeing and kayaking along Twelvepole Creek.
  • Camp Virgil Tate: Improve a natural outdoor play space at the camp in Sissonsville, WV and print maps of local walking trails.
  • City of Moundsville: Improve walking trail in the city by constructing a black top activity area with Active Pathways painted on black top.
  • City of Nitro: Install four interactive areas along a fully ADA compliant trail linking Nitro Elementary to Ridenour Lake.
  • Cranberry Prosperity Elementary: Create a walking track that surrounds the school  playground that will be accessed during and after school and will provide physical activity opportunities for the Beckley WV area communities.
  • Monongalia River Trails Conservancy: Restore trail from damage caused by grass encroachment and wash-outs on 5 mile section of the Mon River-Trail from the mile marker 19 at Little Falls Road in Marion County, WV to the Opekiska Dam in Monongalia County, WV.
  • Pocahontas County Parks and Recreation: Build two loops of a “Pump Track” in Stillwell Park in Marlinton, WV. Loops will link together with a bicycle playground for beginners within the first loop.
  • Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission: Install NatureRock Boulder at the Kingwood Trailhead Park to encourage and allow children to experience rock climbing and bouldering in a safe, controlled setting.
  • Rainelle Medical Center: Enhance a walking trail through structural improvements and signage at Meadow River Watershed Roadside Park that healthcare providers will use for patient referrals to the Wellness Works program.
  • Sutton Elementary School: Improve the school physical education program through equipment upgrades and virtual instructional lessons to meet national educational standards.
  • Town of Wardensville: Create a walking tour map of downtown that highlights local history and directs walkers to local art installations.
  • West Virginia Land Trust: Improve signage on the Yellow Creek National Area for trail entry and exit points as well as trail markers and maps along the Heart of the Highlands Trail System.
  • University Healthcare Foundation: Complete and improve walking/biking trail at P. O. Faulkner Park in Martinsburg, WV through trail development and installation of benches and signage.
  • Williamson Health & Wellness Center, Inc.: Improve walking trails at five locations in Mingo County, provide signage for Wellness Coaches at eight schools, and link Federally Qualified Health Center patients to physical activity in their community.
  • WVU Monongalia County Extension Services: Creating Active Pathways for youth to be active in outdoor settings in locations across the county and training physical educators and facility managers on implementation of the Active Pathways.
Year Three Partners

Camp Virgil Tate: Improve and enhance Camp Virgil Tate’s current trail system in Sissonville, WV with reassurance blazes and directional wayfinding signage.

Charleston Sled Hockey: Home exercise equipment and new on-ice protective gear for hockey team for youth and adults with physical disabilities in Charleston, WV.

E. A. Hawse Health Center: Add improvements including benches and signage to an existing half mile trail located behind E. A. Hawse Health Center in Baker, WV.

Fayetteville Bicycle Pedestrian Action Committee: Install bicycle maintenance stations and covered informational kiosk at the Fayetteville Town Park to include mapped 5k route and trail system information.

Friends of the Cheat, Inc.: Build and install up to 20 bicycle racks designed by local artists and placed in locations connecting Preston County towns to existing and upcoming bicycle friendly trails.

Greenbrier Valley Restoration Project: Build addition of a 0.1 mile path to connect Montwell Commons to the nearby WVSOM campus and downtown Lewisburg.

Kanawha Valley trail Alliance: Install bicycle “fix-it” repair stations that include air kit bike pumps at Little Creek Park in the City of South Charleston

Kermit PK-8: Create a nature themed walking trail at the Kermit PK-8 school grounds in Kermit, WV to include wayfinding and informational signage and tables and benches along the trail.

Monongahela River Trails Conservancy: Increase parking and access to the Deckers Creek Rail-Trail and improve drainage at the Breakiron Road Trailhead, which is located near mile 6 of the 19.5 mile trail near Morgantown.

Morris Creek Watershed: Install wayfinding and educational signs along a 2-mile trail in Montgomery, WV.

Nature’s Mountain Classroom: Creation of an “Adventure Library” that will provide well maintained bikes, helmets and instruction to schools throughout Pocahontas County, WV.

Ohio County WVU Extension Service: Create Active Pathways for community members to be active in outdoor settings in locations across the Wheeling, WV and Ohio County

Ranson Community Gardens: Complete and upgrade the trail at Evitts Run Park including adding wayfinding and informational signage, and plants and trees to connect Downtown Charlestown to the Ranson Community Gardens.

Roane General Hospital: Restore the “Ambrosia Walking Trail” located on the hospital property in Spencer, WV and encourage use through the community wellness program, “Prescription for Your Health”.

WVSU Extension Service: Encourage physical activity opportunities throughout Montgomery and Smithers, WV by installing bicycle racks at four different locations and using a mobile splash pad and disc golf elements at community events and spaces.

The Center for ActiveWV, at the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences, through a partnership with HPCD, is funding projects statewide to increase physical activity. These one-time Capacity-Building Grants range from $1000 – $5000. The full application will be available on August 16, 2021 and closes on October 1, 2021, at 11:59 pm.

Successful grant applications will propose a plan to improve the health of communities in West Virginia through increased opportunities for physical activity by:

  • Increasing physical activity opportunities for children throughout the school day and beyond
  • Increasing and/or improving pedestrian and bike infrastructure within West Virginia
  • Creating opportunities for physical activity through clinical practice and community outreach

Projects should include changes or improvements to policies, systems, or environments (PSE), address health equity, and have a plan for sustainability. Additionally, assuming that there will be continued restrictions and impacts due to COVID-19, projects must be feasible and include a plan to successfully complete the project with current restrictions and plans for possible restrictions.

For more information visit: https://www.wvhealthconnection.com/center-for-active-wv-grant

Year Four Projects

Fayette County Parks & Recreation: Increasing access to physical activity in Fayette County, WV through mobile Pickleball court and community programming.

Free Bikes 4 Kidz Morgantown: Creating capacity to distribute bicycles to the Morgantown, WV community by increasing tools and bike stands to repair bicycles.

Kanawha Valley Trail Alliance: Install two Dero brand “Fixit” bicycle repair stations with air kit bike pumps within Kanawha State Forest in Kanawha County, WV.

Monongahela River Trails Conservancy: Construction of the Collins Ferry Connector Trail, which will link the Suncrest and Collins Ferry Road neighborhoods in Morgantown and Star City, WV to the Mon River Rail-Trail.

West Liberty University: Creating bicycle infrastructure on the West Liberty University campus through the BikeWestLib initiative in West Liberty, WV.

West Virginia Botanic Garden, Inc.: Enhancing the trails at the Tibbs Run Preserve area by constructing a pedestrian bridge and increasing wayfinding signage at the Garden.

WVU Extension Service- Family Nutrition Program: Enhancing local hiking and walking trails by placing interpretive signs throughout each trail system in Mineral County, WV.

WVU SOM Exercise Physiology: Enhancing trails in Morgantown, WV through the Exercise QRx program by installing signs with QR codes for a recommended daily workout for trail users.

Walk with a Future Doc at WVU SOM: Encourage patients to walk for 60 minutes through organized group walks where patients can talk with medical students and physicians.

Martinsburg South Middle School: Build a walking/running path at Martinsburg Middle School for use by students and community members in Martinsburg, WV.

Pineville Middle School: Increase access to daily physical activity at Pineville Middle School with volleyball equipment in Pineville, WV.

Richmond Elementary: Create a walking path on school grounds that will be used during and after school and open for community use in Charleston, WV.

South Middle School: Increasing physical activity in Morgantown, WV by teaching students how to repair bicycles and installing a fix-it station in White Park.

Steenrod Elementary School: Constructing an integrated play structure that is accessible for students and community members of all abilities in Wheeling, WV.

The Center for ActiveWV, at the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences, through a partnership with HPCD, is funding projects statewide to increase physical activity. These one-time Capacity-Building Grants range from $1000 – $5000. The full application will be available on August 16, 2021 and closes on October 1, 2021, at 11:59 pm.

Successful grant applications will propose a plan to improve the health of communities in West Virginia through increased opportunities for physical activity by:

  • Increasing physical activity opportunities for children throughout the school day and beyond
  • Increasing and/or improving pedestrian and bike infrastructure within West Virginia
  • Creating opportunities for physical activity through clinical practice and community outreach

Projects should include changes or improvements to policies, systems, or environments (PSE), address health equity, and have a plan for sustainability. Additionally, assuming that there will be continued restrictions and impacts due to COVID-19, projects must be feasible and include a plan to successfully complete the project with current restrictions and plans for possible restrictions.

For more information visit: https://www.wvhealthconnection.com/center-for-active-wv-grant

This is a version of the Be Wild. Be Wonderful. Be Active. logo used for dark backgrounds and images.

Improving the culture of physical activity in our state by providing awareness, education, guidance, and opportunities.

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