WARREN For the third year in a row, Warren has received a ''Healthy Community'' Gold Star Award from the Ohio Department of Health, noting the various ways the city promotes health and wellness.
Mel Milliron, health educator with the Trumbull Health Department, said to receive the award three years in a row, Warren has added to, enhanced and made further improvements to what it has done the previous years.
"Warren has made vast improvements each year and has been very proactive and is deserving of the award," Milliron said.
He said examples are the community garden, walking paths and the handicapped accessible playground at Perkins Park.
Milliron said in addition to Warren, Niles also received the award for the first time.
Mayor Michael O'Brien said the city has been working on all sections of the community making improvements. "We are building every year and improving every year in promoting healthy-minded living,'' he said.
O'Brien said there is new exercise equipment in Perkins Park which people use when in the park.
Milliron said the schools have also done much to promote wellness and served 35,000 meals over the summer to local children and made improvements to the cafeteria meals.
He said Warren met 23 of the 25 health-related questions.
O'Brien said the efforts done are helping to extend the quality of life. "Our intentions are to continue to build on that," he said.
He said plans are for the city to have a bike trail and skateboard park.
O'Brien said the city recently held a Buddy Walk at Perkins Park and has also held a Pink Ribbon Run, Red Ribbon Run and the Pizza Splash which all promote running and walking.
Milliron said it is "phenomenal" for anyone, whether they live or work in Warren, to have so many opportunities such as walking, bike trails, and educational programs on nutrition.
O'Brien said the community garden is a good addition which offers education on nutrition and agriculture and works in collaboration with many groups and volunteers.
He said members of the Trumbull Tractor Club came to till in the southwest section of Warren where the garden is located.
He said vegetables are grown and given to the needy in the area.
The 40-plot garden was started in May sponsored by Concerned Citizens II, coordinated by OSU Extension, and funded by a Wean Foundation.
O'Brien said the would like to see other community gardens in other parts of the city.
"There is so much Warren is doing for the quality of life of the residents. This shows Warren is a progressive community," Milliron said.
The Healthy Community Award noted the city had a heart healthy community assessment completed in 2008 funded through the Ohio Department of Health cardiovascular grant which focused on policies, systems, and environment which make it possible for individuals to practice heart healthy behaviors.
The city has a Heart Healthy Community Coalition in place holding workshops and conferences, such as Student Against Tobacco Summit and a Childhood Obesity/ Diabetes Conference.
The community provides steps to improve opportunities for walking and promotes physical activity with recreation centers and parks.
There are also community fitness events such as the Tribune Chronicle's Fitness Challenge.
Warren also is involved with health-related initiatives such as lead screening, Relay For Life, health fairs, and the YMCA- America on the Move.