Physical Activity Access through an Intergenerational Lens in Calexico

Imperial County, March-May 2023

Project Goal

  1. Citizen scientists focused on assessing environmental factors to improve healthy living behaviors and identifying potential strategies to promote healthier lifestyles
  2. Improve walkability
  3. Improve physical activity access

Project Description

An intergenerational project in which Calexico older adults and high school student citizen scientists assessed sidewalk walkability and bicycle access. 

Discovery Tool Guiding Question

  • High School Students: What makes it easy or hard to walk, jog, or roll (cycle, skate, wheelchair) in Imperial County?
  • Seniors: What makes it easy or hard to walk around neighborhoods in Calexico? / ¿Qué hace que sea fácil o difícil caminar por los vecindarios de Calexico? 

Insights

160 high school students and 10 seniors in Calexico participated in 125 Discovery Tool walks and collected a total of 371 photos with accompanying rankings (positive or negative), and 320 narratives. Participants then engaged in community meetings to identify themes that emerged from the data, as well as key areas of improvement and strengths of the community. Then, community members generated several solutions from their data analysis.

  • Themes Identified
  • Walkability
  • Accessibility 
  • Physical activity access
  • Safety 

Strengths Identified: There were some already established walking paths

Identified Areas for Improvement: Lack of Pedestrian-friendly streets within the neighborhood

Solutions Generated:

  • Sidewalk repair and maintenance
  • Shade along walking paths
  • Improvement of the bicycle lanes

 

Activities and Outcomes

9 high school student citizen scientists presented their findings and solutions to the Community Air Protection Program steering committee to explore opportunities for funding the proposed ideas. Following the meeting, they were promised support for a native tree planting project for the school and community. This led to three additional Our Voice projects with high schoolers focusing on ways to improve healthy living in and around their school campus. The three projects focused on (1) planting trees with shade to support walkability and physical activity, (2) establishing a school community garden, and (3) improving water accessibility for hydration on campus.


The senior citizen scientists presented their findings to the City Planning Commission.

Key Solutions Presented Include:

  • Plant shade trees
  • Improvements in walkability through the use of speed bumps and pedestrian-friendly signage
  • Repave sidewalks
  • Improvement of bicycle lanes 
  • Increased street and park lighting

People and Collaborators

Project Leads: 

  • CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California Cooperative Extension Imperial County Facilitators 
    • Christopher Wong
    • Martha Lopez
    • Arlene Silva
    • Rigoberto Ponce
  • CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California State Office 
    • Barbara MkNelly
    • Kelley Brian

 

Collaborating Organization:

  • CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Imperial County
  • Senior Residential Housing
  • Local High School
  • Stanford University
  • CalFresh Healthy Living, UC

Publications

Journal of Trauma-Informed Community Health, Nutrition, and Physical Activity: 2023 CFHL Forum Poster Book

This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Visit www.CalFreshHealthyLiving.org for healthy tips.

Our Voice Impact

"This experience has changed my life.  I see inadequacies everywhere I go as it relates to pedestrian access and safety.  I even stop [at] construction sites to remind them to be considerate of the handicapped in our community.  Thank you all so much for this awareness and empowerment to require change."

~ Pam Jiner, GirlTrek Advocacy Leader, Denver CO