From physical to mental health, Fayetteville is a leader in the state for city-wide wellness.
The city has garnered state and nationwide recognition, and has been named a Fit Friendly Employer by the American Heart Association, has achieved gold status for 2017 and is the only Silver Bicycle Friendly Community in Arkansas.
Fayetteville’s dedication to non-motorized transportation is reflected in its Active Transportation Plan. Currently the city has 421 miles of public sidewalks, including 43 miles of multi-use trails, and plans to expand. Fayetteville has set a goal of having 83 percent of its residents living within a half mile of trail by 2020.
Along with its bike trails and lanes, the city has a Bike Program, coordinated by Dane Eifling, that offers courses at the Fayetteville Public Library. These free classes offered basic information on how to maintain bikes, and basic skills for riding in town and in general.
Aside from the classes, the town’s Sustainability Department created a brochure on active (or human-powered) transportation to help encourage residents to “Get Moving.”
To help further develop a plan for more walking and biking the city surveyed 1,400 residents, gauging citizen perceptions on access and safety related to the city’s current active transportation system. Research from the survey has helped Fayetteville design and implement its Active Transportation plan.
Walking and biking in the city are far from all Fayetteville has to offer. Located in the Ozark National Forest, known for pristine forests and bluffs, the city offers 600 acres of public park land at its new Regional Park on Kessler Mountain. These parks also offer soccer and softball fields, and a 3.5-mile, shared-use trail ascending one of the bluffs.
Fayetteville
Population: 83,826
Mayor: Lioneld Jordan
County: Washington
Region: Northwest
Did You Know?
Fayetteville is considered to be an “upper south” town, meaning the area did not participate in large-scale plantation farming with slaves, unlike the Arkansas delta to its south. The town relied on subsistence agriculture and hunting, causing a cultural difference between the town and the “hillbilly” stereotype.
The city’s “Be Well at Fayetteville” program is run by the Engagement Committee. As part of this program, city employees are now encouraged to take one sick day as a Wellbeing Day. This offers employees the time to rest from work, recharge, focus on themselves, their family or community in order to maintain a healthy work and life balance.
Another aspect of the “Be Well at Fayetteville” program is its healthy vending machines and City Employee Gym. City Hall, the Fayetteville Police Department, Fleet Operations Center, Recycling and Trash Headquarters and Water and Sewer Operations Center are all stocked with healthier options for snacks and drinks at the workplace. The city takes into account the sodium, sugar and fat content of each item when selecting what will be in the machines. City employees and their families also have free access to the City Employee Gym and have access to the Fayetteville Public Schools Fitness Center for a discounted fee. The gym has cardio and strength equipment, while the fitness center offers classes.
All city employees and family are eligible for screenings including cholesterol, glucose, BMI and blood pressure. The city also offers demonstrations on how to cook healthy meals, fitness challenges to help push employees, and a “bike to work” day during May, national bike month.
From hiking, to biking, to working out in the gym or setting a proactive example, the city of Fayetteville is a pioneer in citizen health and wellness. Its programs all start from within, with goals to expand to those in the community and across the state.
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