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EPA Recognizes Four Communities for Smart Growth Efforts Better environment, better quality of life for older Americans
CONTACT:
Enesta Jones
jones.enesta@epa.gov
202-564-7873
202-564-4355
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2010
WASHINGTON –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing four communities for helping to reduce air pollution and improve the quality of life through smart growth efforts. Smart growth refers to neighborhoods that are creatively designed to reduce driving and environmental harm. These four communities are receiving EPA's Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging awards because they have created walking and biking opportunities for older adults, which not only protects the environment by reducing air pollution, but also fosters economic vitality and enhances quality of life.
"Improving quality of life is a priority for EPA," said Peter Grevatt, director of EPA’s Office of Children's Health and Environmental Education. "When communities develop walkways and bike paths, they design places that improve our environment, and the health and quality of life for older adults."
The Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging awards recognizes outstanding community strategies and planning that support active aging and smart growth.
The Achievement Award, the top honor recognizes communities for overall excellence in building healthy communities for active aging. This year's recipients are the Town of Cary, N.C., and Martinsville/Henry County, Va.
The Commitment Award recognizes communities that have developed and begun to initiate a specific plan to implement smart growth and active aging principles. This year's recipients are the City of Gaithersburg, Md., for the Upcounty Senior Center and the County of San Mateo, Calif., for the Half Moon Bay Senior Campus Plan.
Applications for 4th annual Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging the 2010 are due July 17, 2010.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/awards/2009/index.html