Morrisville Active Kids Strategic Plan

Active Kids Strategic Plan

Section 4. Strengths, Opportunities & Challenges From the workshops and public outreach, the following set of strengths, challenges, and opportunities were identified for Morrisville to help promote more active lifestyles for its youth population. Strengths There is lot of energy and ongoing investment in Morrisville to create a more cohesive and active community, not just for youth. The proximity to the Research Triangle Park, positive connotations about the quality of life in and around Morrisville, and continued investments in parks and greenways create a stable base of strengths to build upon. Other major influences include:  Demand for healthy kids: Embar king on an Active Kids Str ategic Plan is an indicator of Morrisville’s commitment to a healthier future. It is a bold step to focus solely on physical activity for kids and orient future efforts toward this end. A healthy base of youth also creates a healthier overall population, as youth can influence their parents, and a community that serves lifelong needs allows people to grow up and grow old in the same place.  Growing population in a growing region and strong economy: The US Census estimates that Morrisville grew by 28% from 2010 to 2015. The strong economy, locally and regionally, creates a stable and diverse tax base for Morrisville. This should continue to bolster the Town’s finances for continued investment in projects and programs that promote physical activity for youth and others.  Track record of focused investment by the Town: Looking ar ound Morrisville it is evident that a priority investment strategy includes new parks, greenways, and community spaces. The idea of creating a new Town Center, as well as a nearby planned Morrisville history walking trail and proposed Healthy Food Hub are also indicators of strong values by community leaders and elected officials. Incorporating design features and programs that involve youth will improve these investments. Challenges The challenges facing the youth population in Morrisville are a combination of conflicts related to growth and investment, as well as decisions about school siting and transportation that may not rest solely with the Town of Morrisville’s decision makers.  Finding focus between competing interests, especially adults and older populations: The middle schooler s interviewed for this plan expressed concern over what they view as a lack of investment in programs and facilities for their age group. There was a sense that investment priorities were focused on young children and adults. Morrisville can engage this age group in future parks, programs, and greenway design efforts to identify and accommodate their needs.  Lack of a middle school or high school in Town limits: The lack of these schools within town limits creates barriers to social and physical

Morrisville’s track record for new investments in parks and greenways is a strength that should continue to promote physical activity. Identifying investments and programs for middle and high school age kids was identified as a need among focus group participants.

April 25, 2017

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