FRANKFORT, Ky., -- State officials emphasized the importance of physical activity as they announced support for Second Sunday, a statewide initiative coordinated by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
Second Sunday is an event that encourages all forms of physical activity in the comforts of local environments. It originated in Bogota, Columbia, where officials close more than 70 miles of roads to vehicles, opening them to local residents for exercise every Sunday. Several communities in the United States have had similar events, but Kentucky is the first state to have a statewide initiative. This year's event will be Oct. 11.
"For too long, Kentucky has been labeled as one of the unhealthiest states in the country, but now Second Sunday provides the state with an opportunity to become a national model for physical activity by implementing simple, low-cost measures to improve the health of its citizens," said Governor Steve Beshear.
The statewide initiative began last year when UK Cooperative Extension Service family and consumer sciences agents petitioned their local government officials to close a section of a county road to vehicles and open it to residents for physical activity on the second Sunday of October. Local officials responded, and more than 12,000 Kentuckians in 70 counties participated last year. Participation is expected to grow this year with even more counties planning activities.
"County extension agents are mobilizing this effort across the state both to bring attention to a serious issue and at the same time do something tangible about it that everyone and every community can do," said Jimmy Henning, director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
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http://www.ca.uky.edu/news/?c=n&d=317
Contacts:
Diana Doggett, (859) 257-5582
Ann Vail, (859) 257-3887