Kenmore named second Let’s Move ‘All-Star’ community in U.S.

April 28, 2017 1:30 am
Kenmore joins McAllen, Texas, as the only two Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) All-Star designated communities. Contributed photo
Kenmore joins McAllen, Texas, as the only two Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) All-Star designated communities. Contributed photo

The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized the City of Kenmore for earning the Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) “All-Star” designation. Kenmore joins McAllen, Texas, as the only two all-star designated communities.

“Kenmore is part of a nationwide movement that supports health in cities, towns and counties across America,” NLC President Matt Zone said. “You are helping to create a healthier future for our nation’s children.”

Kenmore has launched several programs to create a healthier community, including adopting city design guidelines aimed at increasing physical activity, implementing slow zones around schools and making the city more bike-friendly. For example, in 2016, the city adopted a Complete Streets policy. Additionally, Kenmore residents passed the Walkways and Waterways bond measure to improve three city parks and add sidewalks and bike lanes on the main arterial from the north end to south end of the city.

“Our greatest resource is our people. Working to ensure that kids have a healthy and safe place to live, learn and thrive is one of the best investments we can make in our future,” Kenmore City Councilmember Stacey Denuski said. “The Let’s Move program has been a great way to focus our efforts and make real progress in our city.”

LMCTC was a major component of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s comprehensive Let’s Move! initiative to ensure that children grow up healthy. Through the initiative, cities are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals for adopting policies that improve access to healthy, affordable food and opportunities for physical activity for their constituents across five goal areas.

LMCTC All-Star was launched in response to the demand for more challenging activities after cities completed the five original LMCTC goals. After receiving gold medals in all five LMCTC goal areas to participate in the all-star program, participating cities then must select an additional four out of eight possible strategies to pursue the all-star program. Kenmore is only the second LMCTC site in the United States to have completed the new commitments of their four all-star strategies.

For more information about LMCTC, visit www.healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org.

This is taken from a City of Kenmore news release.