Want to get your community moving? Now through 3 p.m. on Sept. 30, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is accepting grant applications from organizations that aim to increase physical activity through community walkability.

Priority consideration will go to organizations that work with underserved populations in communities such as Hilltop and the Eastside in Tacoma, Parkland North and South, Springbrook, and Spanaway.

“No matter where people live in Pierce County, the same opportunities to access safe and healthy recreational activities, like walking, should be available,” said Shelley Wallace, health promotion coordinator at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

Agencies and organizations across the county that focus on adults can apply. These include local government agencies, faith-based and community-based organizations, and community and senior centers.

Examples of possible projects include a walking audit to identify barriers to active living, signage that promotes walking, biking, or other physical activity, or community artwork that encourages people to walk or interact with their environment.

A list of 2015 grantees is available at www.tpchd.org/news.php?nid=941.

Grants are from the Health Department and the State Department of Health and range in amount from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the activities organizations have planned.

On the web, visit www.tpchd.org/walkability or email Wallace at swallace@tpchd.org to get an application.

About Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s mission is to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County. As part of our mission, the Health Department tackles known and emerging health risks through policy, programs and treatment in order to protect public health. We are one of only 134 accredited health departments in the country and among five in the state to have met or exceeded the Public Health Accreditation Board’s quality standards. Learn more at www.tpchd.org.

– Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.