Grant Funds Curbs Crosswalks, and Bike Racks in County

Sharing of grant results leads to improvements for Poweshiek County residents. The Poweshiek County Transformation Grant conducted Walking and Biking Suitability Assessments (WASBAs) in the county. It along with the Iowans Walking Assessment Logistics Kit (IWALK) implemented in 2013 by community volunteers and committee members of the Poweshiek County Transformation Grant found numerous opportunities throughout the county to improve healthy lifestyles through greater sidewalk and bike path accessibility. 

Results of the survey and assessment were are intended to be used “to create environments that encourage community residents to walk or bike safely”  . . . and “to improve health outcomes by providing additional opportunities to reach the recommended weekly 150 minutes of physical activity.” 

The results from WABSA were shared with Brooklyn, Grinnell, and Montezuma city managers for evaluation and implementation when city projects involve sidewalks. The CDC grant provided funding for bike racks and improve crosswalks and curb cuts for greater accessibility.

In Grinnell, the IWalk assessment with the WABSA results had an influence in last summer’s Fourth Ave. construction project in downtown Grinnell as well as painting crosswalks and adding bike racks in downtown Grinnell and worksites.   

Public Works Director Dave Popp reports, “The installation or upgrading of curb ramps that serve the city sidewalk system can be time consuming and expensive, but a necessity for citizens that use them. This grant money has aided Grinnell in the installation of curb ramps on corners that are heavily used by walkers.”

In total the CDC’s Community Transformation Grant funded 17 curb cuts in city sidewalks, paint for 23 crosswalks, and installation of 20 new bike racks in communities.

The county transformation grant, which ended Sept. 29, 2014, was administered by Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell Regional Public Health and the county’s Healthy Choices Coalition. The IWALK assessment kit was funded by the Iowa Department of Transportation and provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health “to promote improved access to exercise and wellness resources” and to reduce obesity.