Walkable Communities Lead to a Golden Footprint
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Tracy Delaney is being recognized for her efforts to make neighborhoods safe for walking.
Getting healthy begins with one step and what better way to get out and get moving than to take a walk in your own neighborhood. But what if your community lacks proper sidewalks or proper safety lighting? Creating walkable communities is important in getting residents out, moving, and feeling safe.
No one knows this better than Tracy Delaney, Ph.D., principal investigator for the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) program.
Delaney has been honored for her work on behalf of the County, with the Golden Footprint award by WalkSanDiego and Kaiser. The Golden Footprint Award recognizes individuals, agencies, and projects that enhance the livability of San Diego communities by making walking a safe and viable choice for people.
Delaney has spearheaded the nation's largest CPPW grant, locally known as "Healthy Works." She has been at the forefront of the effort to create healthy walkable neighborhoods.
Delaney is also active in the Safe Routes to School project that helps communities educate residents about the benefits of walking to school and establishing safe routes.
“Tracy has gone the extra mile in her job to plant the seeds for improvements to our community’s infrastructure,” said Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH, Public Health Officer for the County of San Diego. “Through her leadership the County has helped to make communities in San Diego healthier and safer.”
In partnership with SANDAG, Delaney helped establish a public health stakeholders group to ensure physical activity and nutrition are incorporated into land use and transportation planning. Through the Healthy Communities Campaign, Delaney helped develop approaches for creating bicycle and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods.
“I am a firm believer in the role that walkable communities can play in improving public health,” said Delaney. “This award is a great honor.”
Delaney received the award at a ceremony on October 13.