The Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition (NJBWC), will be installing “job clocks” on Saturday, Nov. 17, in anticipation of the January 15 launch of the “Million Clicks” campaign, a new program designed to get people moving.
The clocks will be installed at seven key outdoor locations throughout the township in an innovative effort to promote and encourage physical activity.
The electronic clocks, which resemble a lock with a camera lens, will be located in Brookdale Park, on the Morris Canal Greenway, near the Bloomfield Public Library and in the Bloomfield Green Historic District. Each will automatically sync to a key fob carried by walkers, who will hear a “click” as in “clocking in” when they pass it.
“I’m very excited about the ‘Million Clicks’ program,” said Liz Brady, Let’s Walk! Coordinator for NJBWC, adding that “Million Clicks” is the long-term goal of the campaign. “NJBWC and the Bloomfield Health Department have group walks throughout the community to motivate people to move. However, sometimes people’s schedules do not allow them to join us. The Million Clicks program will provide the technology for these people to participate in our common goal.”
The “job clocks” are funded by a $10,000 grant from the AARP Community Challenge grant program, part of the nationwide AARP Livable Communities initiative. The initiative helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. Launched in 2017, the Community Challenge program funds projects that build momentum for change in communities to improve livability for all local residents.
This year, Bloomfield was one of 129 grantees and one of only two in New Jersey selected from more than 1,600 applications. Applicants had to detail a short-term project to “jump start” the health and wellness of residents of all ages.
The Department will analyze the data from the “job clocks” to determine the total number and distribution of clicks and the demographics of the walkers. Monthly prizes will be given out to those with the most clicks.
“We are incredibly grateful to AARP for this opportunity to enhance our community assets and promote physical fitness,” said Maya Lordo, assistant health officer at the Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services. “Through this funding, we hope to increase physical activity and improve health among all of our residents. We encourage residents to sign up and click away.”
Participants can register for the walking program by contacting Liz Brady, Let’s Walk! Coordinator for NJBWC, at liz.brady@njbwc.org or Maya Lordo at 973-680-4022 or mlordo@bloomfieldtwpnj.com.
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