The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership has been awarded grant funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation as part of its active healthy living initiative and The Coca-Cola Company’s global anti-obesity campaign. The Coca-Cola Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to help fund Atlanta BeltLine health initiatives, including free and reduced-price fitness classes in the parks around the Atlanta BeltLine this summer.
“Key to the vision of the Atlanta BeltLine is the creation of economically and culturally vibrant, sustainable, mixed-income communities that are connected physically, civically, and socially that lead to a high quality of life for all residents,” said Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Executive Director Valarie Wilson. “Health is a key component of quality of life, and the public health benefits of the parks and trails we are investing in are substantial. We are grateful to have Coca-Cola’s continued support of the Atlanta BeltLine’s vision of a healthier, more active community.”
The grant was announced as part of $3.8 million awarded by The Coca-Cola Foundation to help fight the obesity epidemic in Georgia. In a press conference at the World of Coca-Cola with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, said “We are inspiring our hometown of Atlanta and home state of Georgia to be active.”
The effort is part of Kent’s belief in the “golden triangle” of government, business and civil society working together to work on community issues and comes on the 127th birthday for the beverage giant.
“The Coca-Cola Company’s endorsement of health initiatives for the Atlanta BeltLine further reinforces the imperative role that the private sector plays in the development and implementation of the Atlanta BeltLine and programs to help engage the community in healthier, more active lifestyles,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.
In 2008, The Coca-Cola Company awarded the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership with $2 million to support the development of pedestrian trails in the West End section of Atlanta, which has become a center for physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, and other forms of recreation.
