Active Living

Active Living is integrating physical activity into daily routines by making it easier for people to bike, walk and use transit to get to their destinations.

The Hopkins Active Living program is a partnership between Hennepin County, other local cities, businesses, non-profits and the community. View the Hennepin County Website to learn more.

Hopkins wants to engage all members of our community and partner with you to make our community a healthy place to live! 

Hopkins' Active Living Project

In August 2014, the City of Hopkins began an effort aimed at improving access to healthy choices and active transportation options for all city residents. The project is being funded by Hennepin County through the Minnesota Department of Health’s Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). Through this grant, the City will undertake several new initiatives including:

• An Earn-A-Bike program:  Hopkins residents will have opportunities to participate in a program in which they will learn about bike safety, rules of the road, and basic bike maintenance. At the conclusion of this program, the participants will receive the bike they have worked on.
• Education: Implement pedestrian and bicycle education, awareness and enforcement programs; The Hopkins Police Department will conduct outreach and promote education and increase awareness of bicycle and pedestrian laws by vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• Conduct the Artery Experiment on July 10 to 12, 2015, by temporarily installing the design elements of this planned connection between the Downtown Hopkins LRT Station at 8th and Excelsior and Mainstreet. Study and seek feedback on how effectively the design allows pedestrians and bicyclists to move through the corridor. View the Redevelopment Page for more information.
• Policy: Investigate creating a policy that would require new development to provide connections to existing sidewalk and trail infrastructure. View Regional Trails Page.
• Strengthen the City’s Complete Streets Policy
• Shady Oak: Incorporate principles into master plan for the Shady Oak LRT Station. View Shady Oak LRT Station Page.

This grant works to reduce health disparities by targeting populations who have been identified as having higher rates of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These groups must include low-income residents and people of color, and may also include seniors, persons with disabilities, youth, and other community members within the city.

Active Living Steering Committee

Our work is being guided by a Steering Committee composed of Hopkins residents and staff who will be seeking community input to make sure that the projects address barriers being experienced by the community and that any changes that are considered meet people’s needs.

If you would like to get involved with the Steering Committee, or have other ideas on how to connect with residents, please contact Kersten Elverum at 952-548-6340 or Email Kersten Elverum.

Why Active Living is Important

• Improves physical and mental health
• Decreases risk of chronic disease and associated medical costs
• Reduces transportation costs
• Builds safer, stronger communities
• Improves quality of life

Active Living Guiding Principles

• Daily physical activity improves health and can reduce levels of obesity or chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
• Build environments with accessible destinations, integrated transportation networks and inviting design, promote physically active and safe options
• Programs and policies inclusive of all cultures and abilities can help reduce health disparities
• Public participation and awareness of the benefits and opportunities related to active living are increased through effective communication strategies