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Memo- Step to it ChallengeAdministrative Services Department Memorandum To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Copy: Rick Getschow, City Manager From: Debbie Sperling Date: May 5, 2009 Subject Step To It Challenge We will be discussing the Hennepin County Wellness event that includes other cities This is the first year that Hopkins /Minnetonka is joining the Step to it Challenge with Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth, Osseo, Robbinsdale and St. Louis Park. The Minnesota Twins join Hennepin County and the participating cities as proud sponsors of the 2009 Step to It Challenge. The Twins will honor the 10 participants who log the most steps from each city. The Twins will also give away a four -pack of tickets to five families from each city that finish with the most steps. This is a fun, light hearted way to connect with family, friends and neighbors and is right inline with our Goals for and with the City of Hopkins. DO YOU HAVE A COMPETITIVE SPIRIT? DO YOU WANT A FUN AND EASY WAY TO GET IN SHAPE AGAIN THIS SPRING? DO YOU LIVE OR WORK IN THE CITY OF HOPKINS? IF SO, JOIN THE*** UPI S�l EP TO IT C WHAT IS THE STEP TO IT CHALLENGE? # You keep a running total of the steps you take during the chai'lenge using a pedometer or an. activity conver cl 4 Record youa steps each week online at wyrw,"e t alt c r or by phone or fax. WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE? It is good for your health, it is fun, and it is FREE! Fiv 4-packs of lrvvins tickets will be given away to the top participants from i'a c h c t y In addi-tion, Hennepin County & the it will recognize those individuals at a Tvvrins home game this season. HOW DO I REGISTER? + Register online at www.steptoit.or-g. ♦ Complete a Step To It Challenge registration form - forms available at Hopkins City Hall M 5 L < 4 J1 ui 1: J J Lo. Go VA It - - - - - - - - - - - - > Zy L- Z4 _-r Ij In. > I saw 75 7 L 'j 'IJ Go VA rL v c It - - - - - - - - - - - - > Zy L- Z4 _-r Ij In. > I saw rL v c qc r I It - - - - - - - - - - - - t; Z4 _-r Ij In. > I saw qc r I z m C; m r7 :4 zt Ul 71 STEP TO IT CHALLENGE, REGISTRATION AND RELEASE "`FORM If you are recording steps as a family, list names below: NAME: 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. STREET ADDRESS: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATING WITH: ❑ Brooklyn Park ❑ Brooklyn Center ❑ Hopkins • Golden Valley ❑ Maple Grove ❑ Minnetonka ❑ New Hope ❑ Osseo ❑ Plymouth • Robbinsdale ❑ St. Louis Park CITY: ZIP CODE: E -MAIL: AGE: ❑ 17 and younger ❑ 18 and older Children 17 years old and younger must have the permission of their parent or guardian to participate. Do you have their permission? ❑ Yes ❑ No I wish to participate voluntarily in the Step To It Challenge for the purpose of physical fitness. I understand that I should have medical approval from my health -care provider if 1: • Have chronic health problems such as heart disease or diabetes • Have been told by a doctor that I have high blood pressure • Have pains in my heart or chest area • Have any physical conditions or problems that might require special attention in an exercise program • Feel dizzy or have spells of severe dizziness • Have a bone or joint condition like arthritis, which could get worse by participating in an exercise program • Am a male over 45 or a female over 50 AND am not accustomed to vigorous exercise WHEREAS, the City Department of Parks and Recreation has established a walking program for residents; and WHEREAS, this program is being set up at no cost to participants; THEREFORE, in consideration of my participation in this program at no cost to me, I hereby release the City, its agents and employees from any and all liability for any injury or property damage that occurs while participating in this program. Name: (please print) Signature: Date: When form is completed, please fax to 612 - 348 -7548 or mail to: Step To It/Health Promotion 525 Portland Ave., MC -963 Minneapolis MN 55415 `To IT -TS? THANK YOU Hennepin County News Public Affairs • 612 - 348 -3848 • 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487 -0011 April 15, 2009 Contacts: Dianne Blaydes, Human Services and Public Health Department: 612- 348 -7550 Brad Kissell, Human Services and Public Health Department: 612- 348 -5367 Second Annual Step To It Challenge grows to 11 cities in 2009 Great participation and positive feedback from the first Hennepin County Step To It Community Challenge in five communities last year have led to an expanded challenge in 11 western Hennepin County suburbs from May 18 to June 14, 2009. Billed as a fun and healthy way to create community spirit and put some spring in the step of Hennepin County residents, this physical activity competition has enlisted the support of 2009 cosponsor, the Minnesota Twins. "As a member of the community, the Minnesota Twins organization is proud to be a sponsor of events like the Step To It Challenge that promote healthy, family oriented activities in the community," said Bryan Donaldson, Twins spokesperson. Residents will be counting walking steps (or equivalent physical activities such as running or biking) over designated walking routes. Hennepin County Public Health Promotion (PHP) has helped establish and mark the routes on paved sidewalks or established trails in some participating communities. They are: Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth, Robbinsdale and St. Louis Park. Participants will record their steps online, with awards, celebration events and free Twins tickets going to individuals and cities that log the most points. —MORE— Even some city leaders got involved in the 2008 competition, with the Golden Valley City Council challenging council members from neighboring St. Louis Park. It is anticipated that other councils will join in the competition too, according to Dianne Blaydes, a Hennepin County senior health promotion specialist and one of the coordinators of the event. "The Step To It Challenge has proven to be a unique way to get communities competing with one another in a fun, light- hearted way, and getting people moving after a long winter," Blaydes said. Physical activity, in combination with a healthy diet, has been shown to reduce overweight and obesity. The 2006 Survey of the Health of All the Population and the Environment (SHAPE) showed that more than half (54.1 percent) of Hennepin County adults were either obese or overweight, with the obesity rate among county adults rising 39 percent between the 1998 and 2006 surveys. For more information, visit the SHAPE Web site at <www.hennepin.us /shape >. To register online and get more information about challenge events, go to the Step To It Challenge Web site at <www.steptoit.org >. Registrations and the reporting of walking steps can also be faxed to Jennifer Nagel, Hennepin County Public Health Promotion, at 612 - 348 -7548 or call 612 - 348 -5618. Hennepin County Public Health Promotion works with community organizations, schools, businesses and cities in Hennepin County to promote health and reduce chronic diseases. For more information, visit its website at <www.hennepin.us /PHP> or call 612- 348 -5618. —30— Look for more news on the Hennepin County website — < hennepin. us >.