Mobridge, Keystone to Assess Pedestrian-Friendliness

The communities of Mobridge and Keystone are getting a state Department of Health grant to help assess the Sioux Falls towns' pedestrian-friendliness.

Chronic disease prevention and health promotion administrator Linda Ahrendt says an average of just 22 minutes a day of physical activity, such as brisk walking, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Ahrendt says the department regularly works with communities to encourage physical activity. Pierre, Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Burke received walk audit grants in 2014.

The department has also partnered with SDSU's Landscape Architecture Program to help Huron, Mitchell, Salem and Volga take a more detailed look at streets, sidewalks and other parts of their built environments to see just how conducive they are to walking and biking.

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