Be More Tennessee supported the painting of a 0.5-mile walking path at Hancock County Middle and High School, and UT Extension Hancock County recently showcased the completed project during the school's Field Day event.

Over the past several months, community volunteers and partners worked to transform an informal walking route into a clearly marked 0.5-mile walking path. Environmental improvements included distance markers, school mascot branding, and pathway lines designed to improve visibility and usability.

These enhancements support a healthy built environment by making physical activity opportunities more accessible, appealing, and easy to navigate for students, staff, and community members.During Field Day, UT Extension staff promoted the walking path while providing healthy snacks, water, and interactive activities that encouraged physical activity, healthy eating, and hydration.

By strengthening an existing school-based walking resource, this environmental change promotes regular physical activity and supports long-term community health. UT Extension Hancock County extends its appreciation to the volunteers and partners whose efforts are helping create a more active, healthier community.

Tennessee was selected to participate in the 2026 Active People, Healthy Nation℠ Walkability Action Institute (WAI), a national training and technical assistance initiative led by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO).

Tennessee’s participation is supported through UT Extension’s CDC-funded High Obesity Program (HOP), in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the CDC-funded Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) initiative.

Representatives from Be More Tennessee communities in Alamo, Whiteville, and Sneedville, along with partners from the CDC-funded REACH initiative representing Knox County, local government, healthcare, and community organizations, joined partners from across the state in Nashville for the institute. Participants heard from national experts in public health, planning, and transportation to explore practical strategies for creating safer, more walkable communities. 

Throughout the institute, teams engaged in walk audits, hands-on learning activities, and action-planning sessions designed to identify opportunities to improve walkability, active transportation, safety, and access to community destinations. Teams worked collaboratively to develop community-specific action plans that address local priorities while promoting physical activity and healthy community design.

Over the coming months, participating communities will continue refining and implementing their action plans with ongoing technical assistance from WAI partners, helping translate local ideas into sustainable improvements that make it easier and safer for residents to walk, be physically active, and connect with community resources — strengthening Tennessee's capacity to advance active transportation and walkability initiatives statewide.

🔷 Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) Grant provides up to $100,000 for planning or placemaking projects, or up to $150,000 for projects that include both. Funding cannot be used for new construction. Supported through the Rural Health Transformation Act, the grant is available to the 89 Tennessee counties served by state-operated health departments. Learn more and apply through the Rural Health Transformation Program.. Applications are due June 22, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

🔷 Creating Healthier Rural Communities Through the End Zone for Chronic Disease Prevention Grant supports rural and suburban Tennessee communities in implementing evidence-based policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies that increase access to healthy foods, physical activity opportunities, and social connection. Projects should focus on sustainable, community-driven approaches to reducing chronic disease and improving long-term population health. Applications are due July 6, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

The High Obesity Program is made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the CDC or imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about the High Obesity Program (HOP) program at https://www.cdc.gov/dnpao-state-local-programs/php/about/.