A brochure highlighting walking and biking trails in the International Falls area, along with other active amenities will soon be available as a resource for residents and visitors.

The Walking, Biking and Active Living Guide was designed and established by a local active living coalition organized by Natalie Stone, Statewide Health Improvement Program coordinator and health educator with the Koochiching County Health Department.

“Our goal is to help Minnesotans live longer, healthier lives,” said Stone of the group.

The focus of SHIP is to prevent tobacco abuse and obesity — the leading causes of chronic disease. The initiative of the program is for Minnesotans to choose healthier behaviors by making changes in the places they life, learn, work, and play, according to a statement. The program exists in each of 87 Minnesota counties and eight of the 11 tribal nations in the state, Stone added.

Stone and members of the coalition came up with a plan of action to promote healthier, active living in the community. Earlier this year, unique bike racks were placed around the community to enhance a safe, bicycle-friendly environment in the International Falls area. Stone noted the active living guide stemmed from the bike rack project.

“The guide was also part of a mini grant the region received,” Stone said.

The map lists a portion of the parks located in International Falls, city playgrounds, sports facilities, hiking trails, cross country ski trails, indoor walking accommodations, trail etiquette, and safety tips. Stone said she researched other city’s maps and received input from the coalition on the project.

“We hope this will be a resource guide to get people more active,” Stone said.

Stone continued that the guide provides a physical map with the official city loop highlighted in red.

International Falls City Administrator Rod Otterness said the city has been invested in developing a series of trails that make up the city loop. The 4.9-mile loop consists of Third Street to Highway 71 to Keenan Drive to Highway 53 and back to Third Street, Otterness said.

“Walking trails are an amenity that our residents and visitors appreciate,” Otterness added.

Stone said that she is pleased with the outcome of the map and is excited for others to see it, too.

“We’ll be distributing them to local businesses soon,” Stone said of the free pocket-sized brochure. “I think it is very user-friendly.”

Stone concluded that the SHIP grant will continue into 2012 and said, “watch for more exciting things to happen with SHIP 2.0.”