Healthy Places Opens Headquarters in Lamar

Healthy Places Info Wall

“This will be a location where the community can connect with Healthy Places,” explained Emily Neischburg, Executive Director, during a mid-day lunch and snack break held for local residents on Thursday, April 16.  “Our location will be a visible reminder of what we want to accomplish and a place where residents or visitors can develop some new ideas for an active, healthier lifestyle,” she added.

Karen Bryant from PMC, Lori Hammer from Project HOPE
and Emily Neischburg

The location at 201 South Main in Lamar, the former PCDI offices, will again become a means by which residents can learn about health-oriented community activities.  Neischburg said Carla Scranton of PCDI would always have the wall behind the storefront window filled with the latest community events and Healthy Places will do the same thing.  “It’ll be one way that we’ll be able to heighten awareness,” Neischburg said.  The new location won’t be just a 9 to 5 operation, either.  “We plan to have hours that will allow residents to drop in and talk or get an update on activities and that doesn’t always have to be a Monday through Friday schedule.”  She added, “We plan on having special events and we’ll also conduct classes or just have some coffee and conversation.  People are always encouraged to walk in with an idea.  This is one of the best ways to develop continued involvement in our goals.”

PCDI President Rick Robbins Shares Ideas with Lamar Mayor Roger Stagner and Neischburg

Healthy Places was developed from a $1M grant to develop ideas for Prowers County and Lamar that would lead to a more physically active and healthier lifestyle for residents of all ages.  Lamar was one of three Colorado cities selected for the program, based essentially on need given the county’s poor ranking for obesity and lack of outdoor activities for residents.  Neischburg said the project is at the halfway mark on the calendar, and she’s looking beyond that point, to develop an on-going program which will seek out additional funding.  “We want to see this become an integral part of the community and will last for years to come.”  She said some early projects such as the eight mile Lamar Loop or the skateboard and pocketpark won’t come cheaply, “The Loop will cost one million dollars and we have estimates on the other projects that are in excess or our current grant.  We still plan to use those funds as matching grants when required, so we can leverage our budget to bring in additional dollars.  The one million dollar grant just scratches the surface for our hope for the community.”  She added, “If we didn’t have Healthy Places, where would we get the current funding for what we’re doing?  This opens the doors to more possibilities beyond the three year term.”

A full open house coincided with the Lamar Merchants Spring Fling on Friday, April 17 which featured downtown sales, games and prizes for shoppers, plus open house events for two downtown businesses, Vendors Gallery and Diana Lynn Fashion.

By Russ Baldwin