Over the past several years, Fond du Lac has created a wonderful resource to promote physical activity in its 15-mile FdL Loop Trail. The trail connects between downtown and several neighborhoods, as well as more wooded and rural areas in the community. Colorful signage encourages use and helps people reach destinations more easily. The FdL Loop expansion is still underway, thanks to support from local leaders in the city’s capital improvement plans. Future plans include a vision to connect the trail to new ‘food forests,’ with fruit trees and other edible perennials and plants.

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A robust collaboration among local health systems, city/county government, schools, civic groups and non profit organizations, and residents advocates has allowed much progress on this important local asset in Fond du Lac to flourish.

Additionally, many organizations within Fond du Lac’s coalition have taken steps to make health and physical activity part of the community’s culture. Several local physicians, for example, host regular ‘Walk with a Doc’ activities at the local shopping mall. The Farmers Market is held in a walkable downtown location and often provides a venue for bike and pedestrian safety demonstrations. Fond du Lac schools have also led the way, with Safe Routes to School initiatives and efforts to integrate walking and biking skills and safety into their curriculum. Middle school teachers took a leadership role in curriculum development, traveling to Omro, WI to meet one of the teachers that was instrumental in establishing that district’s successful bike-related curriculum. In Fond du Lac, the shared commitment to health continues to spark change across the entire community!