FARMINGTON -- The Davis County Health Depart-ment has received two $10,000 grants to help create trails in the county.

One grant will help create the Davis County Master Trails Plan, while the other will assist Clearfield City with its South Canal Trail Project.

The funding is being offered through the Utah Department of Health -- Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Pro-gram. The county's health department is one of nine local health departments to receive $166,000.

"These funds help promote and create active community environments where people can walk and ride bicycles safely," said Davis County Health Director Lewis Garrett. "Regu-lar physical exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer."

This is the second year that the state's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program has awarded the Davis County Health Department grants to create new walking and biking trails, improve existing ones and promote heir usage. Joan Ware, director of the state's HDSPP program said, "These grants increase opportunities Utahns have to make healthy lifestyle choices."

Last year, the county health department received $9,234 to enhance the paved walking trail at South Park in Sunset. Funds also provided signs for the Davis County Gold Medal Miles program.

"Americans want close-to-home opportunities that provide recreational benefits," Garrett said. "The National Parks and Recreation Associa-tion says that 70 to 90 percent of trail users reported exercising solely because of the presence of nearby trails. Communities that are designed to promote active lifestyles encourage people to be more physically active."

mwilliams@davisclipper.com