Background 

Redmond has a residential population of approximately 54,000 and an employment population of about 91,000. Approximately 24 percent of Redmond’s population is non-white, comprised of a large number of Hispanic, Chinese, and East Indian families.  About 5 percent of the population lives below the poverty level, and 14 percent of students utilize free or reduced meal programs in Redmond public schools.  Redmond is a community that promotes healthy living by providing an infrastructure that supports active transportation and has policies in place that encourage providing access to healthy food.  The City wants to take this commitment to a higher level by providing increased educational opportunities and healthy choices in the community.

CPPW-funded grant

Redmond is currently updating its Citywide Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and Comprehensive Plan.  CPPW-related activities will further leverage, expand and enhance the pedestrian and bicycle elements of the TMP and help with review and update of policies related to healthy food access  that are currently in the Comprehensive Plan.  The Public Works, Planning, and Parks and Recreation departments will all play key roles in addressing the project outcomes, including conducting walking audits with the assistance of FeetFirst.  All of these activities are intended to benefit people who live or work in Redmond by providing more education and opportunities to make healthy choices. 

Hopes for the future

The City of Redmond will be a healthier community by implementing a well-planned active transportation system.  The updated Transportation Master Plan will enable the City to stretch its active transportation-related dollars further and ensure that investments made are the highest priority and maximize the benefit to the community.  During the planning process, people will learn about the importance of being active and the opportunities to do so in the community.  The City will draw on community input, its agricultural heritage and existing/enhanced plan policies that support providing a dynamic mix of land uses within the community to provide access to healthy food choices.  Additionally the City will continue to promote healthy food options where it provides food to the public as a way to educate the public about the benefits of eating healthy.