Orion Township is one of more than a dozen Michigan cities and townships who will be recognized by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports in November for their work in creating a more physically active community.
These communities earned the Promoting Active Communities Award, a self-assessment tool created in a partnership between the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness.
This tool evaluates existing policies, programs and infrastructure which support active lifestyles within community environments.
Points are earned in six categories: policies and planning; pedestrian and bicycle safety and facilities; community resources; worksites; schools and public transportation.
There are five possible levels of recognition:
Level 1: Communities have made a commitment to becoming a healthier place to live and have begun to take steps toward removing barriers to physical activity.
Level 2: Communities have achieved significant progress toward making it easier for people to be physically active.
Level 3: Communities have achieved significant progress toward making it easier for people to be active.
Level 4: Communities can document outstanding achievements in making it easier for people to be active.
Level 5: Communities are models of commitment to healthy, active living.
Orion Township, Alma and Manistee were at a Level 2 recognition. Level 3 communities included Alpena, Birmingham, Canton Township, Grosse Ile., Portland and Sault Ste. Marie, Davidson, Hancock, Port Huron and VanBuren Township were Level 4 communities.