“In Kentucky, 25.5% of youth ages 10-17 have obesity, giving Kentucky a ranking of 2 among the 5- states and D.C.” ( https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/state-data/?state=ky). According to the CDC, 40.3% of Kentucky adults are considered obese. (https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html#overall).    

Casey County is a rural community located in south central Kentucky. The community contains two paid-membership gyms (facilities with lifting equipment and running/walking machines), several walking trails, as well as a few health facilities to receive proper health care. Though a large percentage of community members have lived in Casey County their entire lives, not all have grown up with/adopted healthy lifestyles/behaviors. 

The Casey County Cooperative Extension Service in conjunction with the Lake Cumberland District Health Department (LCDHD) created an interactive walking path at the Central KY Ag/Expo Center.  The LCDHD approached the 4-H Agent with the possibility of using their funds in using painted stencils to encourage further physical activity in the Casey County area. With permission from the Casey County District Judge and the City of Liberty, a multi-phase project began. Materials for painting (including the stencils, paint, and painting equipment) were purchased by the LCDHD. Stencils were chosen to focus on mobility, agility, and high-intensity movements, as well as activities for younger youth. A combination of these stencils are painted along the 2-mile loop around the Ag/Expo Center in Liberty, KY. The team is in the process of working on signature to complete the first phase of this project. The signage will include information about the interactive walkway as well as a QR code to collect information on the visitors: age, gender, where they are from, and what did they do on the walking path (i.e. ride bike, walk, run, utilize the painted activities). 

Signage (two-sided) was installed on either side at the Ag/Expo Center entrance side of the trail. Since February, there have been almost 40 individuals who have completed the survey stating their activity (i.e. walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, etc.) with several utilizing the activity stencils. 

Phase Two of the project has begun with several weather speed bumps preventing its conclusion. The project consists of painted animal prints, native to Kentucky, along the walking path linking the Ag/Expo Center walking path to the downtown area of Liberty. In partnership with the Casey County High School Art Department, the painting plans to be completed by the end of July. Signage will be developed to be interactive encouraging patrons to “Guess the Animal” based on the prints. 

Phase Three of the project will consist of wooden plaques posted along the ¾ mile loop around Liberty Island opposed to painted stencils due to the highly flooded area. The plaques will focus on tree identification and paying attention to your surroundings and wildlife creating a somewhat “outdoor classroom”.