Gallatin County is a small rural Kentucky county with a population of approximately 8,500. CountyHealthRankings.org data, rank Gallatin, 85th of 120 counties in Kentucky in health behaviors; 36% of adult residents are obese, and 32% report no physical activity. 

One strategy to improve county health rankings is to increase opportunities for physical activity, because only 8% reported access to physical activity. 

To explore ways to make the city of Warsaw (the county seat), a more walkable community and increase physical activity opportunities, Dr. Jayoung Koo, and students from the University of Kentucky Department of Landscape Architecture/Community and Economic Development Initiative collaborated with Gallatin County Extension to complete a Community Planning Workshop and Walkability Assessment.  146 city sidewalk segments were scored and separated into four categories: Best, Good, Fair, and Poor. A walking path, using current city sidewalk segments, was created on best and good rated sidewalk segments. After assessing sidewalks, it was evident, numerous gaps in the Warsaw sidewalk system existed.  Results were shared with city officials for sidewalk improvement efforts. As an outcome a few poor rated sidewalk segments have been rebuilt using the standards to now have a good ranking. 

In addition to the walkability assessment a walking path a five foot wide, .33 mile walking path was constructed in the Warsaw City Riverfront Park. The Collaboration for Better Health and Safety, a local steel manufacturing company, Nucor Gallatin, Three Rivers Health District, the Cooperative Extension Service and the city of Warsaw were key players in the creation of the walking path. Even though the actual Warsaw Riverfront Park Walking Path was completed in November 2017, work on the project is not complete. In spring 2018, additional park lighting, park benches, garbage cans, and landscaping will be added. A grand opening ceremony with all community partners is planned for summer 2018.