Fruit Heights earns the Healthy Utah Community designation By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com
F
ruit Heights City has been awarded the Healthy Utah Community designation, presented by Get Healthy Utah and the Utah League of Cities and Towns. The city’s yearlong effort identified ways to provide residents access to mental fitness, active lifestyles, and healthy eating by working together as a community. The Fruit Heights City Parks and Trails Coalition was formed to come up with ideas that would encourage residents to add healthy activities to their daily lives. “We tried to put in place some plans of what the city would like to see happen over the years,” Fruit Heights City Manager Brandon Green said. “The requirements weren’t difficult but they challenged us a little bit, especially being a small community.” The coalition identified several programs it wants to implement including a community garden, getting involved with farmers’ markets, organizing a garden surplus spot where residents can pick up or drop-off homegrown produce, connection with the Utah State extension and even providing healthy snacks at the Kaysville Theater. Stakeholders in the community would like to see better trail signage, social me-
dia posts about healthy living options and a free mental health workshop for youth. The community has already shown support for the initiative when more than 300 residents helped clean up Gailey Trail at Nicholls Park. Julia Busche, former Fruit Heights city councilmember, spearheaded the coalition. Although her city council term ended in January, she is excited to see what happens as the healthy programs move forward. “As a city we’d already completed a lot of the things that we needed to receive this designation. We have a really great existing trail system with a lot of community volunteerism that connects a lot of portions of our city,” Busche said. “A couple of years ago, we partnered with local businesses and Davis High to get the Fruit Loops bike trail mountain biking system.” Partnerships with local businesses and community leaders will help encourage healthy living in the city. Yoga classes and mental health counseling will be promoted and a support group for elderly residents will help them feel included and valued. A joint effort between the Utah League of Cities and Towns and Get Healthy Utah was the impetus for the Healthy Utah Com-
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rainstorms and keeps soil moisture and temperature levels constant for best growth. Benchland Water District Board Member Jim Taylor supplied handout information saying not to water sidewalks, driveways, or roadways; also, not to water landscape for more than the recommended length of time. When watering sloped areas where water runs off easily, water slow and in short five-minute increments to ensure effective absorption and less run off. Their information said turf studies have shown that most lawns need to be watered only once every 3 to 4 days to stay healthy and green. Watering
larly important, especially in hot/dry weather climates, knowing exactly how to water your plants is just as key. As far as timing is concerned, the best times to water your lawn and garden are early in the morning, and once the sun has gone down in the evening. It is recommended to keep moisture in the soil by adding a layer of mulch around plants and over bare dirt. Numerous options are available ranging from colorful recycled rubber to inexpensive straw. Mulching reduces the need for extra watering between
Journals T H E
Residents participate in a fun run sponsored by Fruit Heights. As a Healthy Utah Community, the city offers events to promote healthy lifestyles. Photo courtesy of Fruit Heights City.
munity designation. Only 30 Utah cities have been given the Healthy Utah Community designation, and only three in Davis County: Fruit Heights, Woods Cross and Centerville. “We are working towards being a healthy community and promoting healthy lifestyles,” Green said. “[This designation]
says we have done things that are required to receive the award. Every three years we have to reapply for this and keep showing we are working in the various areas we identified as being important and keep promoting that lifestyle.”l
every day creates shallow roots. Watering infrequently develops deep roots and healthier turf. Taylor said “grass roots grow deeper into the soil and become stronger with less watering. If grass does not spring back after being stepped on, it’s time to water.” Adjusting the lawn mower to a higher setting will keep moisture by allowing taller grass to shade roots and hold moisture. Staff from the USU Botanical Center were on hand to supply gardening tips as well as information on upcoming classes and events. These include topics for woody plants for landscapes, waterwise landscape
design, park strip design, yoga in the garden, planting for pollinators, etc. Mayor Tran discussed the continuing need for the city to encourage and educate users. She said, “although we are not sure of the best methods to get the word out, we keep trying our best to keep pushing multiple forms of education.” If you haven’t checked out the Facebook posts on the Kaysville City page, Mayor Tran and Community Development Director Melinda Greenwood have been sharing all of the great local resources and tips to be more waterwise in your yard. l
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