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Mapping Health in Montague, Massachusetts

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Mapping Health in Montague, Massachusetts

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For this project I’ll be highlighting my neighborhood community of Montague town center. This is a rural community north of Amherst and has a population of roughly 8,600.

The connection to and abundance of nature indicates an environment of health, wellness, and safety. The people in the community are close and friendly to one another, whether it be to a stranger or neighbor.

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Montague Town Map: Centers of Activity and Points of Interest

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Montague Town Map: Centers of Activity and Points of Interest

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Here I've documented key points of interest and my most visited locations that are all within a one mile of my home. As you may notice, everything I need is all just a short walk away.

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The town may appear small to those who drive through, but the community knows just how vast and expansive our neck of the woods really is. Some nature areas in Montague include:

Dry Hill Trail System

Cabot Woods

North Street Wildlife Managment Area

Montague Plains Wildlife Managment Area

Canalside Rail Trail

Robert Frost Trail

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Me and my little one are SO excited for this new park being built just minutes from our house!

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DAY 2: Under Construction: New Playground!

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DAY 2: Under Construction: New Playground!

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(Question B) My definition of community has changed since the beginning of this class. A community is when a group of people, often with individual diverse cultures and characteristics, are linked by location, social engagement, and perspectives. In this assignment, I focused on the community of my neighborhood. Above is a photo of an example where my community has come together to make for an amazing experience for the people and children who live here.

(Question G) One of the ways to reduce social detriments in my community is through the rebuilding of this park. When I moved here, it was one of the first things I noted to myself. Not only was the structure unsafe for children but as I said in a response comment to Dr. M: When children specifically are in an environment built for them to thrive such as accessible and quality outdoor engagement - they experience lifelong benefits, creating more balanced, healthy, and connected communities for generations to come.

Living in a place that offers easy access to nature and a healthy environment is crucial for both individual and community well-being. Things like living conditions, access to food, healthcare, and social connections all play a role in how healthy a community is. "Place matters" because the environment we grow up in has a huge effect on our health, both physically and mentally.

The docuseries The Raising of America illustrates the importance of nurturing environments for babies and children, showing how social and environmental barriers can hinder their development. For children, nurturing environments are especially important, but social and environmental challenges can get in the way. The mental and physical well-being of children ultimately shapes the health of the nation. This hits home for me as a mom to a four-year-old. Raising him in a place where he can thrive—surrounded by nature and a strong, supportive community—is my top priority.

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Friends and their dogs visiting - I love that dogs in our neighborhood are free to roam.

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(Question A) On this second walkabout I noticed many new things through the eyes of health experience and community. As my friend's dogs run through my yard, a neighbors dog wanders over to investigate. He sniffed around and parted ways back to his house, his owner nowhere in sight.

Me and my friend chatted about off-leash areas and how they encourage social interactions among dog owners and strengthen community bonds. This is something very normal in town, and on walks you'll see many dog owners. Not only does this promote physical activity for people and pets alike but as dog owners gather and chat, these spaces become informal hubs of connection, trust, and a shared sense of responsibility for keeping the community clean and welcoming for everyone.

"Place Matters: From Health and Health Care Disparities to Equity and Liberation" by Sharrelle Barber emphasizes that disparities in health are not just caused by individual behaviors or genetics but are deeply influenced by the social, economic, and physical environments in which people are situated. These "places" shape access to resources, opportunities, and healthcare, contributing to systemic inequalities.

A walkable, accessible neighborhood makes health part of everyday life. With safe, inviting paths, people are more likely to be active, which lowers risks of chronic health issues like heart disease and diabetes. Walking through green spaces also reduces stress and improves mental well-being, and seeing neighbors regularly fosters a sense of connection and security. In a neighborhood designed for people to move and meet, wellness becomes natural, helping to create a healthier, happier community.

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(Question C) My padlet's themes include walkable spaces, outdoor engagement, and how places designated for children and families have a positive impact on a community.

(Question E) Overall, I see a positive experience for community members. Something I love about my neighborhood are how many things we can see and interact with on a walk. When people pause to notice these small details like this book stand next to the library, it encourages interactions and shared experiences, which are vital for building social bonds within a community. These small moments of engagement and curiosity contribute to a more vibrant, connected, and supportive community, which ultimately enhances both mental and physical health. It also demonstrates the trust of the community, as this is a pay by honor system. Experiences like this also gives me the chance to chat with my neighbors, who are never shy to express their love for our small town.

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Having a library within walking creates opportunities for both physical and mental health, supporting a healthier, more connected community. Libraries themselves support lifelong learning, creativity, and access to resources for mental well-being. Programs and events here also foster community connections and promote a sense of belonging.

As discussed in one of our assigned Ted Talks, Brene Brown conducted research which brought up the idea that the opposite of connection - disconnection, is deeply rooted in the feeling of shame. Shame can be described as fear of disconnection or a struggle for worthiness. Being deeply seen by others in community and being vulnerable with oneself through self-cultural observation and humility can be healing for these feelings of shame and disconnection. Public spaces like the library are one of the areas community can gather and in turn make for positive health outcomes.

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I wanted to highlight this 2015 Masslive article that highlights Montague for earning a Playful City Award.

"According to the KaBOOM! website, Playful City USA communities utilize play as an innovative solution to address a number of challenges facing kids, families and communities. In turn, these communities retain a competitive advantage by creating healthier, more vibrant communities where families want to live and companies want to do business."

The article explains that The Playful City USA awarded to Montague goes beyond the Parks and Rec department with offerings that include parks, swim programs, softball and volleyball, noting events like the annual Franklin County Pumpkin Festival, the Spring Parade, Montague Old Home Days, Carnegie Library events and outdoor concerts.

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Chicopee, Greenfield, Montague earn Playful City honors

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KaBOOM! and the Humana Foundation recognized 241 cities and towns from throughout the country that make play a priority in their communities.

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Sights: The buildings are old - my home being a set of apartments renovated from an old barn. My drive way is half a mile long and is lined with long grass fields and flowers and at the bottom of it is my mechanic - who does not show up on google maps. His garage, also once a barn, houses cars and trucks new and old. The rusty trucks on the exterior match the town. At the bottom of my road is an intersection, wild flowers, tall trees, a single stop sign and all roads leading to the post office, park, and village store - all of which are just a minute walk away. The post office houses dozens of local flyers on their bulletin board, which is where I can learn about events and offerings in the town. The city center is small but dense, cozy homes nestled near to one another and everyone has a backyard. The town is multigenerational, and is the home of new families as well as people who have lived here their entire lives, so walking around town you’ll see people of all ages - a group of middle schoolers riding their bikes, an elderly couple walking their dog and visiting the post, and a young mom and her son walking into village store, where they are on a first-name basis with the woman who works there. Some houses are clearly more worn and rustic, while others are newly renovated and refreshed. The roads and sidewalks are safe and clean, with the occasional found bottle or scrap.

Sounds: Leaves rustling in the wind, birds chirping, noises of bugs, the steps of my feet on the pavement and rocks, neighbors talking, there is no noise of traffic besides a car or two passing on the main road.

Smells: Freshly cut grass, flowers, and even the smell of peoples homes that sit closely to the sidewalk, and smell of the taco truck outside of the village store

Touch: I often stop to touch rocks, flowers, or all of the plants and herbs I’ll find along the way, perhaps a pet to the neighbor's dog. I avoid touching the tall grass in the field surrounding my house as this is a great home for ticks.

Taste: Places to get food within walking distance are from the Montague Village Market which is a great store, small but you can find everything you may need here. The local taco truck that parks outside of the store, and the Montague Bookmill which has a sit-down cafe with a seasonal food menu.

This scene I am describing easily paints a picture of what health looks like to the community of Montague. Everything from sight, smell and sound; the connection to and abundance of nature indicates an environment of health, wellness, and safety. The people in the community are close and friendly to one another, whether it be to a stranger or neighbor.

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Good morning to our daily view. Tons of wildlife roams the land around our home from deer to bunnies and cayotes.

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Here is the view me and my family have on our daily walk. Getting outside is very important to us, this is one of our ways we maintain our over-all health and well being.

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(Question H) Something missing in my padlet is... probably more direct involvement from my community. I do believe if I talked to more of my neighbors and included an interview or two about their experiences with health in our community, I would have been able to present a stronger and more accurate representation of my community.