By ROBERT LEE LONG
Community Editor
HERNANDO — Small towns across America, like Hernando, can make a “big” difference when it comes to planning for healthier communities.
Dr. Samina Raja, associate professor at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of New York at Buffalo, said smaller communities often are enable to enact policy changes which promote healthier lifestyles.
Raja, who has visited Hernando before, said the city’s community garden and bustling farmers’ market are two prime examples of what makes Hernando a “model city” for healthy living.
“This community seems to be interested in not just developing its own potential and capacity but being a leader in the region,” Raja said. “The town itself has a farmers market and a community garden, and is making the effort to make it a more walkable, livable community. There are communities around the country trying to do this. I see a lot of promise here. I know the Hernando Planning Commission is very receptive to making its policies aide at promoting a healthier community. Kudos to this community for having done this.”
More than 90 people attended Thursday’s “Your Town _ Your Health: Planning and Building Healthy Communities at the Gale Center in Hernando. The day-long seminar was co-sponsored by the A.W. Bouchillon Institute for Community Planning and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.
Hernando Planning Commissioner Bob Wolfe said the focus and awareness on healthier living has caused him to “eat healthier.”
“Today, they’re discussing walking and bike trails and things that we’ve already been doing in Hernando. Our leadership in Hernando has gotten us way out in front.”
Wolfe said the planned Hernando West development just west of the historic town square features walking trails, a greenway and natural streamed in addition to overall “walkability” character.
Lynda Austin, a Walls alderwoman, said she learned the importance of good planning and how it affects a community.
“Good planning and zoning can enhance a community, i.e., a place where people can congregate and exercise.”
Recently, the entire town turned out to participate in a walk-a-thon in Walls.
“We have a good designated area near the school where it’s safe to walk,” Austin said.
Connie Binkowitz, project manager for Healthy Memphis, Common Table, said her research has shown there is a tangible connection between policies and infrastructure which promotes healthier lifestyles among citizens.
“Where we live, play and learn, all affects our health,” Binkowitz said.
Kelly Jordan, a Holly Springs city official, said he learned that such things as loudness and pollution also effect health and the quality of life in a community.
Bob Barber, Hernando’s Director of Planning, said the Bouchillon Institute, named in honor of the late A.W. Bouchillon, has helped set the standard for implementing policies for healthier communities.
“It was created for the purpose of outreach,” Barber said. “We wanted to provide really high quality training in a local setting.”
The Bouchillon Institute and Community Foundation have been involved in healthy planning initiatives on the local level in conjunction with national foundations like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Bouchillon Institutute of Community Planning 