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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe and Healthy Community Chapter Safe and Healthy Community Chapter Food, water, and shelter are the basic physiological components necessary for life. Security, health and well-being are the basic safety needs of humans. Friendship, family and community are the basic social needs. Environment, social justice and economics are the pillars of sustainability. The City of Oshkosh is a community where residents and the local government strive to meet basic needs in a sustainable fashion. The City of Oshkosh has strong public works, police and fire departments to provide public safety and support for its citizens. Winnebago County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard provide boater safety on Lake Winnebago and the Fox River. The Winnebago County Health Department is an important partner with the City on various initiatives. Winnebago County also has a strong emergency management and first responder network. The City has many medical, dental, rehabilitation, and assisted living/retirement centers, including Aurora Health Center and Mercy Medical Center. From Little Oshkosh and Pollock Pool to the Oshkosh Seniors Center, there are many opportunities for recreation and socialization for all ages. Oshkosh is home to many parks located throughout the city, with Menominee Park on Lake Winnebago being the largest. Over 60 religious facilities are located in Oshkosh. Cultural and social venues are myriad, including Leach Amphitheater, the Oshkosh Public Library, the Oshkosh Public Museum, the Grand Opera House, the Paine Art Center, and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Museum. Oshkosh, Wisconsin's Event City, is home to a monthly downtown Gallery Walk, Waterfest, Irish Fest, Oktoberfest, Winnebagoland Art Fair, Sawdust Days, and the Celebration of Lights. Oshkosh has seen much progress since the original 2012 Sustainability Plan. The Downtown YMCA recently underwent a major expansion. The City recently added bike lanes on Irving Avenue, and has continued work towards the completion of the Riverwalk. These recent successes are examples of positive catalysts for community health. Oshkosh provides educational support at many levels, and is home to not only the Oshkosh Area School District but also the Fox Valley Technical College, the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh plus many parochial schools. The Chamber of Commerce, Chamco, and the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau support both the social and economic bases of the city. All of these entities and many more make Oshkosh a safe and healthy community in which to live. Objective: Promote healthy living, civic engagement, cultural and ethnic diversity, and provide a safe and healthy community for our citizens. Policies Existing Programs: 1. Maintain well-staffed, trained, and equipped police and fire departments at the level required for our community's size and needs. 2. Maintain a health department through the county to ensure safe food, water, and swimming. 3. Maintain safe drinking water, sewage treatment and stormwater capacity sufficient for the population as also mentioned in the Water chapter of this plan (pgs. XX-XX). 4. Continue human services programs supported by community partners. 5. Continue to support literacy and the arts by furthering partnerships with the Oshkosh Public Library, the Oshkosh Public Museum Gallery Walk, and other community entities. Health and Urban Land Use: 1. During the Site Plan Review and approval process, encourage development that promotes sustainable lifestyles by mixing residential, retail areas, and employment centers with safe walking/biking paths and access to bus routes, and require adequate landscaping. 2. Encourage housing developments that reduce isolation foster community spirit, include a diversity of occupant age, social, and cultural groups, and remain affordable to a variety of income groups. 3. Eliminate disproportionate environmental burdens and pollution in disadvantaged areas. 4. Continue to implement recommendations from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Plan. 5. Continue to promote development that is accessible and walkable under our new zoning process. 6. Examine and address connectivity across Highway 41 and railroads. 7. Support efforts of the Public Works and Transportation staff to ensure that public facilities, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). 8. Create safety awareness and educate Oshkosh residents on the importance of snow removal from sidewalks. Healthy Living: 1. Continue to support the health and welfare of City residents through programs such as the Committee on Aging, the Seniors Center, the Boys and Girls Club, Safe Routes to School (SRTS), healthcare screenings, mental health support, and free clinics. 2. Promote community health through Health in All Policies, systems, and environmental change within Oshkosh. 3. Encourage the implementation of employer wellness programs and wellness partnerships between employers and the community. For example, ensure that all City of Oshkosh employees have access to healthcare screenings, mental health support, and free health clinics. 4. Encourage local employers to meet criteria for Well City designation. Active Lifestyles: 1. Encourage physical fitness among all age groups. 2. Continue to maintain athletic fields, courts, and playgrounds in our parks, as was done through improvements to the Ferry Crossing baseball diamond and the Stevens Park tennis courts. 3. Continue to support the Pollock Community Water Park. 4. Encourage and support the efforts of the Seniors Center, YMCA, Oshkosh Area School District, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and various organizations in events such as the Tour de Titan and other walk/bike/run events. 5. Support additional work on the Riverwalk and bike trails. 6. Implement recommendations of the City of Oshkosh Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Plan to provide residents with safer conditions for biking and walking. 7. Encourage outdoor alternatives such as walking and biking for family togetherness. 8. Encourage use of our available natural resources for water sports and events (e.g. Dragonboat Races and sailing regattas). 9. Acquire additional acreage to create parkland in areas currently deficient in green space. Social Justice: 1. Continue to support the many agencies and programs that provide benefits to our citizens, such as Wisconsin Interfaith Needs Response, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity-Oshkosh, the Oshkosh Area Community Food Pantry, ADVOCAP, the Housing Authority, and GO-HNI. 2. Assist with efforts to create a more permanent warming shelter and ensure adequate facilities for the homeless. 3. Encourage use of local thrift stores as a way to support sustainable living, both economically and through the principle of reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose. 4. Encourage support of the Oshkosh Humane Society. 5. Educate residents on the personal benefits of giving one's time through the many volunteer opportunities in our community. 6. Continue to involve local residents and the UW Oshkosh students in setting visions and developing plans for our community through surveys, boards, commissions, and access to the City Council. 7. Establish avenues for meaningful participation in decision-making for all citizens. 8. Provide equal and affordable educational opportunities for all members of society. 9. Continue to promote job creation and retraining of those displaced in the short-term with a shift to a more sustainable economy. Recent successes are the Menominee Nation Arena and the location of the new Oshkosh Corporation Global Headquarters. 10. Educate Oshkosh residents about the benefits of diversity and fostering a greater understanding among residents from different backgrounds. 11. Continue to support organizations such as Fit Oshkosh, the Christine Anne Center and UW-Oshkosh.