This HIA, conducted by the Maine Network of Healthy Communities, was designed to assist a land trust and affiliated communities with prioritizing several proposed trails in an urban setting. In the 1990s, the Androscoggin Land Trust and the National Park Service’s River and Trails Program developed the Androscoggin River Corridor Greenway Plan. This HIA assessed four potential projects designed to meet the plan’s aim to preserve open space, revitalize urban waterfronts, and provide riverfront access for communities. It found that all would lead to improved access to services and parks; increased trail mileage; increased recreation and active transportation; and decreased bike and pedestrian injuries. Based on the findings, the HIA recommended that the trust and communities approve the Riverfront Island and Strawberry Avenue projects, rather than the Exit 80 and North River Road projects. The HIA also provided recommendations related to trail access and promotion and social capital.
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This Health Impact Assessment Report first appeared in The Cross-Sector Toolkit for Health. The Cross-Sector Toolkit for Health was originally developed by the Health Impact Project, formerly a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts. The creation of this resource was supported by a grant from the Health Impact Project. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pew Charitable Trusts, or the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
