October Complete Streets Book 2020

USPS - 525 -100

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS Action Toward Independence American Heart Association

$UF of Sullivan & Orange Basha Kill Area Association Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, Ulster

*DUQHW +HDOWK 'RFWRUV Catskills Food Hub ChangeLab Solutions ENGN Fallsburg Central School District HealtheConnections Healthy Heart Program Jeff Bank JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. Liberty Central School District Livingston Manor Central School District Monticello Central School District

New Hope Community NYS Department of Health NYS Department of Transportation NYS Obesity Prevention Center for Excellence Roscoe Central School District Safe Routes to School Smart Growth America Soul Food CafĂŠ Sullivan 180 Sullivan County Beekeepers Association Sullivan BOCES Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Sullivan County 'LYLVLRQ RI 3ODQQLQJ

&RPPXQLW\ 'HYHORSPHQW 5HDO 3URSHUW\ Sullivan County Department of Public Health Services

Streets & Worksite Wellness 37 Complete Policies

Sullivan County Legislature Sullivan County Manager’s OfďŹ ce Sullivan County Visitors Association Sullivan Fresh Farmers’ Markets Sullivan Renaissance Thunder Tobacco Free Action Community Engagement Town of Bethel Town of Fallsburg Town of Forestburgh Town of Liberty Town of Mamakating Town of Thompson United States Department of Agriculture Village of Liberty Village of Monticello

Worksite Wellness

Complete Streets As an alternative form of transportation, Complete Streets provides designs that take into consideration pedestrians, bicyclists, and public and private transportation for individuals of all ages and abilities. At the same time, it creates a greener transportation system, improves economic development, and promotes improved health. 48 projects implemented in Sullivan County have the capability of affecting over 61,450 individuals in the communities of Mamakating, Fallsburg, Thompson, Monticello, Liberty, Bethel, and ForestburgI.

69 municipalities, community based organizations, healthcare facilities, and private businesses have implemented policies that provide worksite wellness committees, education on nutrition and physical activity, healthy meeting guidelines, healthier foods in vending machines, and access to wellness tools and resources.

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l3 Schools 7 Municipalities l Hospital 48 Community Locations

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 2-3..................................Program Overview Page 4-5....................3 Steps to Complete Streets Page 6-9...........................Projects in Mamakating Page 10-12.............................Projects in Fallsburg Page 13.....................................Projects in Bethel Page14-15...........................Projects in Thompson

Page 16..................................Projects in Liberty Page 17.............................Projects in Monticello Page 18-19..............................Retail and Policies Page 20-21.............................Worksite Wellness Page 22-23.........Healthy Schools & Communities Page 24.....Message From the Executive Director

Edited by: Nicole Slevin Nikolados & Colleen Monaghan Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County

Designed by: Centermost Marketing, LLC

Notice: OfďŹ cial endorsement of advertisers and their products is not intended by the acceptance of their advertisements for the Extension Connection.

The Extension Connection (USPS-525-100) is published monthly for $25.00 enrollment by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, located at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903. Entered at Liberty, New York, as a periodical class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 412, Act of February 24, 1925. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Extension Connection, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

OVERVIEW OF THE CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SULLIVAN COUNTY (CCESC) CREATING HEALTHY SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES (CHSC) PROGRAM

Catchment Areas

Bethel, Fallsburg Forestburgh, Liberty, Mamakating Monticello, Thompson

6l,450

Individuals Impacted

Healthy Schools 3 school districts and Sullivan BOCES adopted policies on nutrition and Comprehensive Physical Activity Plans. They are teaching youth the importance of eating healthy and physical activity.

Retail etail and and Policies Policies Increases the accessibility of healthy foods through Food Hubs, 9 Farmers' Markets, Mobile Markets, Corner Stores and Supermarkets.

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3 STEPS TO COMPLETE STREETS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Step l

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITIES & GOVERNMENT

When working with communities it is essential to know and respect what is important to each community. It is also key that communities understand the Complete Streets framework and the benefits of integrating it into their Municipal Comprehensive Plans. The benefits include positive community impacts and the potential to open up new sources of infrastructure funding.

Step l BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITIES & GOVERNMENT

The CHSC team helped municipalities who were updating their Comprehensive or Master Plans to ensure Complete Streets elements were included.

It was great to meet with municipalities, their boards and community members, as well as to address Sullivan County Legislature about these innovative efforts.

Outreach included attending Megislative Tessions, Tchool, Uown and Willage Coard Neetings, local fairs and community activities.

KEY PARTNERS

Step 2 DEVELOPING & ADOPTING COMPLETE STREETS POLICIES

• Sullivan Renaissance • Sullivan County %JWJTJPO PG 1MBOOJOH $PNNVOJUZ %FWFMPQNFOU 3FBM 1SPQFSUZ • Sullivan County Parks & Recreation

ABOVE AND LEFT: New York State, Sullivan County, and municipal officials support Complete Streets learning sessions.

• New York State Department of Transportation

Step 3 PLAN & COMPLETE PROJECTS

• Sullivan County County Chamber of Commerce e • Sullivan County oun unty ty Visitors’ Association soci so ciat atio ion n • Sullivan County oun unty ty IIDA DA

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Healthy Communities Coordinator Wanda Cruz presents.

Step 2

DEVELOPING & ADOPTING COMPLETE STREETS POLICIES

Once municipal partnerships were developed, it was time to decide which type of policy was best suited for each municipality. Those policiess range from complete Comprehensive or Master Plan development (Towns of Mamakating and Fallsburg), Complete Streets Resolutions (Towns of Mamakating, Fallsburg, Liberty, Bethel, and the VillageT of Monticello and Liberty), or the adoption of Planning and Design Guidelines (Town of Thompson and Village of Monticello Grow the Gateway) that include Complete Streets elements.

TOWN OF THOMPSON

TOWN OF MAMAKATING

VILLAGE OF MONTICELLO

Step 3

PLAN & COMPLETE E PROJECTS

After months of developing vision and policy, here is where policy becomes reality. Now that partnerships are built with local government, agencies and communities, it is time to move forward with planning. Feasibility, community values, environmental impacts, history, and safety were considered when deciding on Complete Streets projects.

Sullivan County’s Complete Streets show alternative forms of transportation and physical activity for individuals of all ages and abilities. The projects in the next pages have been implemented and more will be completed soon!

See 18 of these exciting projects on the next 10 pages!

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TOWN OF MAMAKATING

Mamakating Environmental & Interpretive Center Bikers welcome! A bike repair station and bike rack were installed near the Interpretative Center.

The center is now accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities, including folks who arrived by walking or by wheel.

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LEFT: A peaceful view from a wellness bench on the Fitness Trail.

BELOW: From baseball fields to basketball courts, the Mamakating Town Park is a great place for all ages to get active!

Mamakating Town Park & Mamakating Fitness Trail

Located in a rural area near the Town of Bloomingburg business district, this location provides programs to individuals of all walks of life, including a haunted house, egg hunts, breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Winter Holiday Celebration, a summer program for youth, dance classes, Fitness Boot Camp, and more. Some changes include e “stop for pedestrian� crossing signs, parking and repair stations for bikes, and message boards to provide information to different park locations and activities.

The park has a diverse selection of recreational areas dedicated to swimming, baseball, volleyball, basketball, walkers, and more.

Dog owners can walk their dog on a trail or take them to the dog park. The town is working on blazing a trail with outdoor fitness equipment by the far end of the park, and will include signage, message boards, and a bench.

Mamakating Town Hall

Quickly becoming a role model for Complete Streets implementation, Mamakating Town Hall is now accessible with alternative forms of transportation for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Lighting, ADA signage and parking, directional signs, bike parking BOE a repair station, BOE trails, are among the many things that make it easy for the community to get outside move. outs ou tsid ide e an and d mo move ve..

Why not bike to the Mamakating Town Hall?

There’s a convenient bike rack and repair station on site.

LEFT: Directly behind the Town Hall is a trailhead access point for the D & H Canal.

RIGHT: Bright, energy efficent lighting ensures visibility.

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TOWN OF MAMAKATING D&H Canal

The D & H Canal Trail is a safe alternative form of transportation for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities. The first access point is behind Mamakating Town Hall, which also has access to a small mall with a grocery store, a bank, and a pharmacy.

Opposite that access point is the State Trooper building in close proximity to a daycare center, hotel, and park-andride bus station. The D & H Canal trail will have 10 access points, which include several residential communities, Emma C. Chase Elementary School, the Village of Wurtsboro business district, and access to other trails.

The D & H Canal trail, funded by the NYS Department of Transportation, has 1.5 miles of surface compacted with stone dust to meet ADA compliance. It is to be open year-round during daylight hours. CCE's CHSC program provided message boards, benches, a bike repair station and racks, and signage.

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Mamakating Trail

BEFORE No defined entrance, signage, or parking.

The Mamakating Trail now has safe access to parking and to the Sullivan O & W Rail Trail.

It is an alternative form of transportation for pedestrians and cyclists from Sullivan Street to Ferguson Road near Route 209.

DURING Grading, clearing, and brush removal.

AFTER Welcoming signage, clear trailhead, a bike rack, and plenty of parking.

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TOWN OF FALLSBURG Hurleyville has done well with implementing Complete Streets elements. They have a walkable community and a partial trail that’s ADA compliant. The new directional signage plus the bike racks and bike repair station are incentives for people to use their bikes as an alternative form of transportation.

Sullivan O & W Rail Trail in Hurleyville

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Marie's Park

Marie’s Park has been provided with benches, a bike rack and repair station, and signage to be placed at the municipal parking lot across the street from the park, located off Rt. 52 in Woodbourne.

Morningside Park Work is in progress to make this park accessible by bike with directional signage, bike racks, a bike repair station, and a message board with a literature rack for educational information and materials to promote events and local destinations like the Sullivan O & W Rail Trail in Hurleyville.

The trail will be marked with directional signage and benches throughout, with outdoor fitness equipment nearby.

Additional projects will be completed in the Town of Fallsburg in 2020, including Ingber Park and Morningside Park.

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TOWN OF FALLSBURG Benjamin Cosor Elementary School Trail This trail, accessible to staff and students during school hours, is excellent for physical activity, education, and wellness!

The public can access the trail after school hours. CCE assisted by providing entrance and directional signage throughout the trail, a message board, and benches. Lead teacher Leah Exner is pictured at left p community groups with wi th ccom ommu muni nity ty g gro roup upss who who will will ensure ens e nsur ure e sustainability trail. sust su stai aina nabi bilility ty by by maintaining main ma inta tain inin ing g th the e tr trai ail.l.

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TOWN OF BETHEL

Smallwood Forest Reserve

The Seserve has a trail with outdoor fitness equipment placed along the way, as well as benches that provide a place to rest when needed.

Bethel Town Hall

The Town of Bethel is looking at the possibility of creating a bike path. A bike rack has been installed at Bethel Town Hall (pictured above).

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TOWN OF THOMPSON

Town of Thompson Park

The park is now accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities. A pavilion and picnic area with ADA parking was created for direct access. People with varying abilities can also use a new separate side entrance to access the park’s lower level.

A message board provides information to individuals who need to access the trails, Orchard Park, the community building, 3 pavilions, and parking areas. Bike racks and benches were also included.

A new ADA parking sign was installed at Orchard Park to provide designated parking for people with varying abilities.

Town of Thompson Park provides year-round opportunities for physical activity: from cross country skiing and snowshoeing, to hiking and a children’s playground.

Orchard Park

The new pergola at the Town of Thompson Park is a great place to meditate or practice tai-chi or yoga.

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Thompson Park Heart Healthy Trail

The Heart Healthy Trail has 3 levels of trails.

Prior to new signage that was installed, several emergency extractions occurred when hikers couldn’t find their way out of the trails!

Now, new directional signage identifies each trail by color and has reduced confusion – and helps prevent the need for emergency assistance – because it allows park visitors to choose which trail is best for them based on their th hei eirr fitness fitne fi fit ness ne ss and and ability abili biilliityy levels. b level vel elss.

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TOWN OF LIBERTY Sullivan O & W Rail Trail in Liberty A bike rack off Route 52 on a small access extension to the Sullivan O & W Rail Trail in Liberty encourages multiple forms of use.

Hanofee Park

Outdoor fitness equipment is spread throughout the trail at Hanofee Park.

Additional work was done at two access points at nearby Walnut Mountain recreation area, which included bike racks and ADA parking signs.

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Sullivan O & W Rail Trail in Parksville

The Hamlet of Parksville in the Town of Liberty has made a great deal of progress with signage, bike racks, a message board, dog stations, and ADA parking signs.

VILLAGE OF MONTICELLO Village of Monticello

The Village of Monticello added benches to Jefferson Road, in front of the Post Office and Village Town Hall, as well as at Joe’s Park and Forestburgh Rd. between Sleepy Hollow and the Monticello Central School District. Bike racks, pedestrian crosswalks, speed bumps, “stop for pedestrian” signs, and a seasonal ice skating rink have all been provided.

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RETAIL AND POLICIES

Catskills Food Hub

The Sullivan Catskills Regional Food Hub (CFH) officially opened for sales BOE operations in April of 2019, after over three years of preparation and planning. CFH is a nonprofit organization working with regional agricultural producers and buyers to expand distribution and purchasing opportunities in Sullivan County and the region. It connects producers with buyers to increase access to fresh, local foods through coordinating with institutional buyers like schools and hospitals.

The first six months of operations saw a steady growth, both in weekly sales as well as in the numbers of producers listing their items with the Hub. And these first months saw challenges as well: There was only one full-time staff member, numerous equipment malfunctions, and costs were consistently higher than what sales brought in. While the first couple of months of operations were slow, sales picked up quickly in mid summer as more product became available, and awareness of the Hub grew. When COVID-19 swept across the state, retail sales increased by 400%!

The next step is to leverage New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farm to School funding to make using the CFH to procure healthy foods an easy process. The funds will be used to offset some CFH operational costs, which will minimize excessive purchasing fees when schools purchase from CFH.

Farm to School

A Fresh Start to Healthy Habits for Sullivan County Youth Learning the Farms, FoodLi, nks Between and Health Cornell Coop erative Exten sion an

d Sullivan Re Sullivan Coun naissance are ty into classroo turning lunch (CCESC) ms Sullivan Coun . Through the Farm to Sc rooms… ty schools are hool progra m, locally grown serving fresh food—while , supporting loc nutritious, and the local al farmers economy.

Farm to Sc hool empo wers

students to • Learn to ma : ke better foo d choices • Develop life long healthy habits • Discover where their food comes from

Cooking with Cornell in Fallsburg Schools reinforces healthy choices.

The 6 Farm to School Initiativ CCESC and Sullivan es

Renaissance 6 initiatives have launche to incorpora d te the farminto Sullivan to-sc County publi c schools. Ea hool paradigm targets a dif ch initiative ferent educ ational eleme nt of healthy living.

1. Edible Ga

rden Projec t Growing an Appreciatio nf

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Farmers' Market in Mamakating

The Town of Mamakating made arrangements for a weekly farmers' market that includes a variety of vendors offering healthy food choices.

Sullivan Fresh Farmers' Markets

1 in 10 Sullivan County residents stSuggle with with food insecurity everyday, with 1 in 5 children en in in a household receiving SNAP benefits to ensure sur ure e their next meal. The Sullivan Fresh Market on on on the Move mobile farmers’ market stops in Wurtsboro, Fallsburg, Loch Sheldrake, and Liberty. Every Monday, there is also a Sullivan Fresh Farmers' Market held in Monticello in front of the Sullivan County Government Center.

As part of the larger, county-wide Sullivan Catskills Farmers’ Market project, the mobile market and Monticello market helped increase WIC, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons, and use of SNAP benefits by 300 transactions in 2019! $$& QBSUOFSFE XJUI (BSOFU )FBMUI %PDUPST 4VMMJWBO $PVOUZ 1VCMJD )FBMUI 4FSWJDFT 4/"1 &E /: BOE 4VMMJWBO 3FOBJTTBODF PO 46--*7"/ 39 B OFX QSPHSBN UIBU QSFTDSJCFT GBSNFSTh NBSLFU DPVQPOT UP QBUJFOUT With a mission to make fresh fruits and vegetables affordable and easily available we’re helping to support a healthier Sullivan County ur ur and a thriving agricultural community in our MAKING CONNECTIONS Page 19 high-need rural community.

WORKSITE WELLNESS Worksite Wellness Summit

Worksite Wellness Summits have been a yearly partnership event at New Hope Community to award active worksites and educate new ones on resources to get workplaces healthy at no cost to the employer. This is accomplished through wellness policies, assessing the workplace, and planning educational and environmental changes which focus on nutrition and physical activity.

Photo above left to right: Wanda Cruz, CCESC Healthy Communities Coordinator; Stephanie Parenti, HealtheConnections Population Health Specialist; Lori Rotolo, Tobacco Free Action Communities Engagement; Amanda Langseder, 'PSNFS (BSOFU )FBMUI Director of Community Health; Colleen Emery, Sullivan Renaissance )FBMUIZ $PNNVOJUZ *OJUJBUJWFT 1SPHSBN .BOBHFS; Sandi Rowland, 'PSNFS Sullivan 180 Executive Director; SueAnn Boyd, CCE Sullivan Healthy Schools Coordinator Other partners not pictured: JoAnn Parker, American Heart Association; Jill Hubert-Simon, Sullivan County Department of Public Health Services; Catherine Paci; Teresa Soto; Saraid Gonzalez, Sullivan 180 1SPHSBN %JSFDUPS; BOE Samantha Mango, Sullivan 180 .BSLFUJOH &WFOUT %JSFDUPS; and Renita Malone, HealtheConnections Population Health Specialist.

Several of our leading worksites have champions and have been active participants at the Summits. Among them were Darrin Raynor, Former County Deputy Commissioner of Division of Management & Budget; Clair TBHHBSU Jeff Bank HRVP; Jill Holland, SVMMJWBO BOCES Teacher, Occupational Therapist & Yoga Instructor; and Van Krzywicki, Town of Thompson Assessor.

WELLNESS AWARDS Worksites compete for awards in four categories. Awards are presented at the Wellness Summit.

BRONZE

SILVER

ESTABLISH A WELLNESS COMMITTEE

EDUCATION

Employees plan physical activity, in-house competitions, and team participation in races like the Monster Run, or brainstorm ways to make healthy choices easy, like stocking vending machines with low or no sugar drinks.

The Worksite Wellness Committee distributes regular educational resources to employees by hosting Lunch & Learn programs, bringing in workshops on nutrition or physical activity, or providing a seminar on wellness.

GOLD

IMPLEMENTATION Completes the requirements for both bronze and silver medals in addition to adopting a wellness policy that will sustain opportunities for employees to try strategies that can improve their health in the work setting.

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BRONZE

PLATINUM

ADVANCED EVENT & POLICY PLANNING These employers previously earned a Gold Medal and have further developed the organization's Wellness Policies and hosted an event for the community which promotes wellness through nutrition and physical activity.

WORKSITE WELLNESS AWARD WINNERS

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HEALTHY SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

Fallsburg School District

COMMUNITIES • Town of Bethel • Town of Fallsburg • Town of Liberty

WORKSITE WELLNESS SITES • • • • •

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CCE Sullivan Fallsburg Parks & Rec Fallsburg Town Hall Ideal Snacks Town of Bethel

WORKSITE WELLNESS SITES • ASD of Sullivan & Orange County • ATI • (BSOFU )FBMUI %PDUPST • Jeff Bank • Mamakating Library • Sullivan County Government Center

Monticello School District

COMMUNITIES • • • • •

Town of Bethel Town of Forestburgh Town of Mamakating Village of Monticello Town of Thompson

Liberty School District

COMMUNITIES • Town of Bethel • Town of Liberty

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WORKSITE WELLNESS SITE • Town of Bethel

Extension Connection Sullivan County | Volume XCI No. 10 | October 2020

MESSAGE FROM CCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This month’s magazine issue is the culmination of a ďŹ ve year project called Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC). Funded by the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), Healthy Schools Coordinator SueAnn Boyd and Healthy Communities Coordinator Wanda Cruz worked with the Fallsburg, Liberty, and Monticello Central School Districts, and the municipalities in those district catchment areas to increase access to healthy foods and physical activity. Participating municipalities have included Bethel, Fallsburg, ForestburgI, Thompson, Monticello, Liberty, and Mamakating, including Parksville, South Fallsburg, and Wurtsboro.

The Complete Streets aspect of the project included providing municipal leaders with training and technical assistance in infrastructure planning approaches, taking into account the movements and needs of individuals of all ages and abilities. Once Complete Streets municipal visions, plans and policies were adopted, more than $150,000 in mini grants and equipment were provided to towns, villages, and hamlets to implement projects to meet those aspirations.

3URMHFWV UDQJHG LQ VFDOH IURP LQFUHDVHG $'$ SDUNLQJ DQG DFFHVV WR SXEOLF SDUNV DQG LQVWDOOLQJ ELNH UDFNV WR FUHDWLQJ RXWGRRU ILWQHVV WUDLOV DQG OLQNLQJ SDUWV RI WKH 2 : 5DLO 7UDLO DOO increasing the number and variety of free options for Sullivan County residents and guests to engage in physical activity and the natural beauty of our county.

In addition, almost $200,000 has been invested in the Sullivan Fresh Market on the Move mobile farmers’ market, the Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard, and the Catskills Food Hub. These programs keep your grocery, donor, and tax dollars in the FRunty, and in Sullivan County farmers’ pockets, supporting one of the County’s largest economic drivers: agriculture, while VLPXOWDQHRXVO\ promoting improved health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs by making the healthy choice, the easy and accessible choice.

As yet, we have not received word from the NYS DOH as to whether the CHSC program will be refunded for another five years. So while the CHSC program has wound down, Srogram Foordinators SueAnn and Wanda are still working with the school and community on nutrition and healthy families programming including farmers’ market promotion, farm to school, and the Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard programs to ensure the efforts of these last five years are sustained and have continuing impact on the health of our constituency.

I hope you enjoy these snapshots and use this book as a guide to get out to explore the public spaces available to us while the weather still allows it.

very best, My v ver ery y be best st,,

Colleen C Coll Co ol een M Monaghan, onaghan n, Executive Executiv Director