Active Living
To help cities plan for healthy communities
We bring a multidisciplinary approach to improving places where people live, work, learn, and play. We work with cities and partners to improve accessibility, quality of life, and health outcomes in Hennepin County.
On this page
Funding for equipment to support biking, walking, and physical activity
Hennepin County's Active Living Program aims to make it easier to be active, especially in communities with health disparities. Funding is now available to help cities buy equipment that supports physical activity.
Eligible equipment
- Biking and walking equipment (e.g. bike racks, benches, bike repair stations, and wayfinding signage)
- Gear for free rentals (e.g. ice skates, cross country skis, bike fleets, life jackets) that supports equitable access to parks activities for BIPOC and low-income residents
- Equipment to support access to healthy food (e.g. community garden beds, composters, fruit trees)
Who is eligible?
Applicants can include cities and government agencies within the Hennepin County Public Health jurisdiction (all cities except Bloomington, Edina, Minneapolis, and Richfield).
Application
Have questions or want to discuss equipment ideas? Contact denise.engen@hennepin.us.
Email completed applications to jacob.berger@hennepin.us.
Timeline
- Application deadline: June 27, 2022
- Items must be purchased by October 15, 2022
Funding
Up to $30,000 in total is available. Individual projects can request up to $5,000.
Funding and technical assistance for cities
The Active Living program provides funding and technical assistance to cities and government agencies to advance healthy communities, active living, and equity.
Who is eligible for assistance?
Applicants can include cities and government agencies within the Hennepin County Public Health jurisdiction (all cities except Bloomington, Edina, Minneapolis, and Richfield).
Types of projects
Funding and technical assistance are available to help with the following activities:
- Conducting assessments and education related to bike and walkability
- Improving biking, walking, or public spaces through demonstration projects or infrastructure changes
- Developing plans or policies to support physical activity and create healthier communities
- Engaging traditionally underrepresented populations in the design of public spaces and support for physical activity
Application
The application deadline was April 8, 2022.
Applications can be emailed to denise.engen@hennepin.us
Timeline
- 2022 application deadline: June 27
- Projects must be completed by October 2022
Related links and materials
Recent meetings
- Active Living December 2021: Taking on climate change at the local level – local climate action planning (PDF)
- Active Living September 2021: Growing capacity and cultivating connections – what does it take for local government supported food growing projects to thrive? (PDF)
- Active Living March 2021: Safer to Share the Road (PDF)
- Active Living Hennepin County Partnership December 2020 meeting (PDF)
Program information
- Active Living brochure (PDF)
- Active Living Partnership Technical Assistance Program (PDF)
- Active Living Program Checklist (PDF)
Previous work
- Metro Healthy Comprehensive Plans workgroup (PDF)
- Golden Valley Walk/Bike Connections (PDF)
- Ridgedale Town Green – Minnetonka (PDF)
- East to West Oktoberfest – New Hope (PDF)
- TRANSITion to Spring – Robbinsdale (PDF)
Videos
Contact
Denise Engen
denise.engen@hennepin.us
