Walking Trails for Physical & Mental Health Project was identified by the School Health Advisory Council, Healthy Carolinians of Jackson County, community members and stakeholders as an action, that when combined with other actions in our community, that has a reasonable chance of making a difference in healthy living in our community.

The priority population/customers for this are the community at-large, and the project aims to make a difference at the individual/interpersonal behavior, organizational/policy, and environmental change level. Implementation will take place on Jackson County Public School grounds in various communities throughout the entire county. 

This project addresses health disparities. Jackson County is rural area with few sidewalks outside of the main section of town, and private and public gym access restricted to only a few pockets of the county. It is difficult for rural residents to drive to a gym or rec center, and often times not safe to exercise on their curvy, steep mountain roads. By partnering with the public schools to make walking trails at each school, we will be hitting many pockets throughout the county that have close to no opportunities for safe walking. The school faculty and students will have access to the trails during the day, and the community will have access after school hours. This will provide safe walking opportunities to historically marginalized populations and addresses health disparities. 

The partners for this [insert program type] include:

Walking trails and outdoor areas were created and/or improved upon at Jackson County Public Schools thru a grant that was awarded to the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC). The SHAC chair person has worked to cordinate the completion of these trails and outdoor areas for students and staff use during their day. At this time no data has been collected on how many students and/or staff have been using the trails and outdoor areas.