MARSHALL – Madison County youth now have a place to gather and have fun as well as exercise.
On March 22, the Madison County Health Department opened a new outdoor learning center.
The center is located at 493 Medical Park Drive, behind the Madison County Health Department in Marshall, and is designed to give families an opportunity to let their children play in the facility while they visit with medical professionals. It has been.
“We are so excited to see the Madison County Community Outdoor Learning Center open. This has been a vision that we at the Madison County Health Department have had for several years,” said Deanna Stevens, community health director for the county health department. he said.
“Our hope is that this is just the beginning of creating a safe and convenient space for residents of all ages to come and enjoy the outdoors and be physically active.”
County Health Director Tammy Cody spoke to a crowd gathered March 22 to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the outdoor learning center.
“For me, defining public health is not easy,” Cody said. “There are many aspects of our daily lives that we often don't notice, and outdoor learning centers are a great example of this.
“This center may look like a gathering place for children to have fun, expend energy, use their imagination, meet new friends, and for families to meet other families and professionals.” The center serves as a positive place while families wait. Members visit nearby offices. It also serves as a place to learn about family connections and for parents to learn how to interact with their children. It works.Personally, I love watching children play and hearing their laughter.This center starts a natural relationship as parents and grandparents swinging their children and grandchildren. or ride it on the merry-go-round.”
Cody and Stevens said the county health department hopes the outdoor learning center is just the beginning of facilities on the grounds, and the department is adding walking paths and adult facilities to allow families of all ages to have activities together. He is thinking of adding .
The 2023 annual Madison County State Health Report shows that community health priorities remain the same as last year: healthy eating, healthy weight and diabetes, substance abuse and mental health. found.
more:Madison's annual health report shows healthy eating and drug use are top priorities
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County health status reports provide local health professionals with an opportunity to see the processes in place and how health professionals are working with the community to address these issues.
County health status reports are conducted annually, and support for this process was provided by WNC Healthy Impact, a partnership of hospitals and public health agencies to improve community health care in Western North Carolina.
Stevens said the idea for the outdoor learning center was born about eight years ago and the county has been working on the project for about six years.
“Furthermore, as community health assessments continue to prioritize healthy eating, healthy weight and physical activity, we believe that outdoor spaces where children and families can be active together would be a great addition and benefit to communities.” ,” Stevens said. He said.
“It started when we visited another county health department that had a health department. Dr. (Marianna) Daley and Tammy were very interested in making it happen for us. Mash Byrne Medical, the Sheriff’s Office and the Health Department are visited by children and families, so it makes sense to have an outdoor learning center at our location.”
Community Health Needs Assessments are conducted every three years.
Cody said reducing the stigma associated with issues like drug use and obesity is the first step to addressing the problem.
“We must support each other and reduce the stigma associated with being overweight, having a mental health condition, or having a substance use disorder,” Cody said. “We need to encourage others.”
If you are looking for information about resources to treat mental health or substance use, please visit the county's website for a list of facilities.
Mental Health Resources are available on the County Health Department website.
Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for three years for the Citizen Times and the News-Record & Sentinel. He won the 2023 North Carolina Press Association Award for First Place in Beat News Reporting. Contact him at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com.
