Re-Cap Of Our "Garden Drive"

Photos courtesy of Kari Lyster

Recently, we held a fundraiser called the "Garden Drive" to raise funds to plant Central's new community garden!  Games, crafts and healthy snacks were provided for students while adults talked over coffee and refreshments.  We'll be holding a "Planting Day" on Wednesday, so more pictures to come!  View more photos from the "Garden Drive" (including photos of the raised beds) after the jump...

Service Learning: Building Campus-Community Ties

A video created by SFUNews about last fall's HSCI 349: Community Health Services cohort.  The video was taken during the final presentations of our projects.  Congratulations Fall 2010 students!

How Living Near Green Spaces Improves Health

Via Children and Nature Network.  Photo Credit: Federico Stevanin

A 2008 study from the UK found that people who lived near parks and greenery had better mental and physical health outcomes than those in areas with little or no access to green spaces.  Those with access to green spaces had lower rates of heart disease.  Living near green spaces increases the likelihood that one will exercise and take time to unwind.  Those on low incomes tend to be in poorer health than those of higher incomes.  However, the study shows that green spaces buffer health differences between income groups.  People of lower income who lived near green spaces reported health outcomes similar to those of people with higher incomes.  Previous studies suggest that just 5 minutes of exercise in green spaces helps to improve mental health and mood.  Even more motivation to go walking in all the trails Port Coquitlam has to offer!

Meet the Class!

Photos courtesy of Jenny Scott

Last Friday, the Health Sciences 349: Community Health Services class met at Central Community School.  Some students joined in the Halloween parade earlier in the day and showed up dressed in their costumes!

The Simon Fraser University (SFU) students are working with Central Community School staff, teachers, and students to help create a healthy school community.  The SFU students take a broad definition of health, helping students improve their literacy, numeracy, eating choices, physical activity, social relationships, and other health behaviors.

Click here to read a news article to learn more about SFU students and their work with Central Community School.

View more pictures after the jump...

Will There Be a Bike Share Program in Port Coquitlam, Too?

Via City of Vancouver

Recently, Vancouver residents saw a demonstration of a bike share program from Montreal called Bixi.  Bike stations located all across Montreal provide the public with affordable rental bikes for short trips usually between 5 and 30 minutes in length.  Bike share programs help calm traffic and boost physical activity.  Vancouver city officials are planning to create a similar program here in the Lower Mainland.  Problems with other systems that must be solved include theft, damage, and cycling safety in the city.  Cycling is a great way to stay fit, keep active, and improve health.  Let's hope Port Coquitlam jumps on the bandwagon, too!  We already have bike lanes!

Where is the Port Coquitlam Farmer's Market?

Via Port Coquitlam Farmer's Market

The Port Coquitlam Farmer's Market is a great place to purchase fresh, local produce, food items, and crafts.  It is also a great place to experience the culture of Port Coquitlam through arts events.

The market is located at 2252 Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 3B8.  The market runs every Thursday from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. from May 20 to September 16.

Find a map here

During the winter, local produce can be found at the Port Moody Farmer's Market located at the Port Moody Recreation Centre.  The winter market runs starting from November 2010 every other Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Find a map here

How to Build Exercise into Your Day: Cycling

Building cycling paths in a community is a sure way to motivate people to embrace daily exercise.  Cycling, walking, rollerblading, and running improve heart and lung health and aid in weight loss when combined with a healthy diet.

In 2007, the City of Port Coquitlam adopted a "Master Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan".  Since then, cycling paths, bike-accessible crossing signals, signed cycling routes, and multi-use paths have been built to encourage residents to use alternate forms of transportation.

Cycling safely to and from school, work, and the grocery store helps to improve fitness.  Building physical activity into your day increases the chances that you will stick with your plan.

Click here to plan your daily route using non-motorized transit.