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ABOUT US

OUR PROJECTS

FITNESS DIRECTORY &
     CALENDAR OF EVENTS
     RUNNING,BIKING,GOLF
     & OTHER FITNESS EVENTS AND
     RESOURCES AROUND JACKSON
     INCLUDING TRAIL LISTINGS

Bike Routes Maps for
Jackson are  now available!
Request Yours Now!

QUICK LINKS
    Smart Commute Day
    Safe Routes to School
    EPEC/PEN
    Run Jackson (JARDA)
    FALLING WATER TRAIL
    WALKABLE COMMUNITIES
    TASK FORCE

NEWSLETTERS, FACTS SHEETS
    AND PUBLICATIONS

FITNESS COUNCIL STORE

PHOTO GALLERY

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HEALTH INFORMATION
      Nationwide
      Michigan
      MI Governor's Council
      What is Active Living?
      Healthy & Fit Magazine

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The Fitness Council serves each and every Jackson resident, working together for a healthy, active community.

 History

Organizations involved: Historic Commission, Center for Family Health, Foundation for a Healthy Community, Jackson County Health Department, Westwood Mall, Jackson City Council, Foote Hospital, LifeWays, Police Department, Downtown Development Authority, Ruth Mott Foundation, Active Living by Design, Western School District, TLC Eye Care of Michigan, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Jackson Transportation Authority, City of Jackson Department of Engineering, Jackson Area Career Center, Jackson Public Schools, Community Action Agency, Jackson Parks and Recreation, Jackson YMCA, Region 2 Planning Commission, Northwest Schools, Pedal and Tour, Jackson Department on Aging, Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Woodard and Associates, disAbility Connections, Spring Arbor University

The Fitness Council was founded in 1982 (originally called the Jackson County Wellness Committee) to promote events that improved the health and well-being of Jackson community members. Through the past two decades the Fitness Council has held a variety of events from health fairs to running races and supported local physical education teachers through the Physical Educators' Network.

In 2002, the Fitness Council joined a growing movement nationally called "active living by design" the movement focuses on creating communities where people can walk and bike to their destinations and fit physical activity into their daily routines. Jackson is similar to many other cities--most people drive their cars where they need to travel. The Fitness Council's goal is create a city where it is both safe and preferable to choose a healthier mode of travel like walking and biking. The Fitness Council agrees with Richard Jackson, past director at the Centers for Disease Control, when he said "It is dishonest to tell our citizens to walk, jog, or bicycle when there is not a safe or welcoming place to pursue these 'life-saving' activities." To solve this problem the Fitness Council joined the Walkable Communities Task Force and has focused its energy on making it easier to be active in Jackson through a variety of programs. Below are some highlights, visit current programs to get all the latest.  

Completed a community self-assessment inventory, earning a Promoting Active Communities award through the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports.  This assessment helped highlight related strengths (parks and trails) as well as potential areas of improvement (busy streets like West Ave.).

The Walkable Communities Task Force became recognized as the official pedestrian and bicycle advisory committee to Jackson’s City Council.  Through this effort, a staff member of the City of Jackson is assigned to the group and assists with the group’s goals.

Developed a destination-based bicycle route within the City of Jackson which was recommended and adopted as part of the city’s comprehensive plan.

Received one of 25 Active Living by Design grants nationwide to promote walking and biking as well as influence policies, zoning and infrastructure changes which would remove barriers and improve the safety, convenience and pleasure of walking and biking in Jackson for youth through seniors.

Fitness Council of Jackson
225 N. Jackson St.
(Pedal & Tour Building)
Jackson, MI 49201
517-990-9798