Ulster County accepts state grant to create Kingston walk‑trail and promote physical activity

Ulster County’s Health Department told the Health, Human Services and Human Rights Committee on May 8 that the county will accept additional state funds to promote physical activity and prevent chronic disease, and that funding will support a short interpretive walking trail in Kingston and marketing for the department’s Movement Is Medicine campaign.

The department said the New York State Department of Health awarded the county funds through the Local Health Department Performance Incentive Program with general parameters to focus on chronic‑disease prevention and a specific requirement that this award be centered in Kingston. Department staff said the project will install posts along a short half‑mile route in Kingston with messaging about chronic‑disease prevention; participants will walk from post to post and learn about healthy behaviors.

Director Walter said some of the funding will support the county’s Movement Is Medicine public‑education work, which has appeared on local buses and bus stops. Committee members discussed the trail location and staff said it will be sited on an Ulster County‑owned Kingston trail.

Action recorded: the committee adopted a budget amendment (resolution 2‑31) to accept the state allocation for the Local Health Department Performance Incentive Program for chronic‑disease prevention on May 8.

Committee context: staff framed the award as an opportunity to promote walking and healthy behaviors in Kingston and to tie the project into existing Movement Is Medicine outreach.