Lincoln Health Foundation - Dedication Ceremony

Lincoln Health Foundation - Dedication Ceremony
LINCOLN HEALTH FOUNDATION GRANTS THE CITY OF RUSTON’S $1M TO HELP IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

Park at Duncan Park, located at 1311 Arlington Street, on the corner of Arlington and West Vaughn Ave. Please arrive around 10:45. At 11am we will walk as group to the site of the ceremony.
 
 
Join us for a dedication ceremony honoring the first block of Ruston’s active transportation system! Please meet at Duncan Park, located at 1311 Arlington Street, at 10:45. At 11am we will walk as group to the site of the ceremony.
 
Ruston’s "Improving Health Equity Through Active Transportation” Initiative Lincoln Health Foundation joins the City of Ruston in the effort now underway to fill the most critical gaps in Ruston’s active transportation infrastructure and reduce the harmful health outcomes related to chronic inactivity.
 
Ruston's transportation system is extremely car-centric, which contributes to chronic inactivity; restricts access to health care, jobs, education, and other everyday needs; and helps give rise to a sprawling development pattern that reinforces car-dependency.
 
In response, Ruston’s plan, part of Moving Ruston Forward initiative approved in 2016, is to build a city-wide network of shared-use paths, sidewalks and bike lanes. This project, supported in part by a million dollar Collective Impact Grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Louisiana, is strategically targeted at improving community health.
 
Work is underway on the Rock Island Greenway, a shared-use path that will run through the middle of town. “The greenway is the centerpiece of Ruston’s new bicycle/pedestrian network, it is helping make Ruston a safer, healthier, and more appealing place to live for all types of people” said Mayor Ronny Walker.
 
“Lincoln Health Foundation's mission is to improve healthcare and healthcare access for residents of Lincoln Parish by funding health-related initiatives, programs and services that improve quality of life. The long-term benefits derived from this project and its potential impact on improving access to healthcare services and promoting exercise are significant. This project not only improves access to healthcare services, but it also enhances the services provided by existing LHF grantees and ensures the Foundation’s ability to achieve its mission,” said Norman Hanes, Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Health Foundation.
“The greenway, and the Lincoln Health Foundation funded connectors, will establish unprecedented opportunities for people to comfortably walk or bike around town,” added Mayor Walker.
 
“This grant will enable the City to build safe and pleasant ways for people to walk and bike along Vaughn Avenue, Line Avenue, and Mississippi Street and will connect schools, parks, childcare and medical services to underserved neighborhoods. This initiative will also establish safe routes for students from the Louisiana Center for the Blind as they walk between their apartments and downtown classrooms” said Ammen Jordan, Director of Development, Office of the Mayor, City of Ruston
 
To learn about the Lincoln Health Foundation, visit www.lincolnhealth.com. To learn more about the Rock Island Greenway visit www.ruston.org/rock-island-greenway.php