The city of Riverside has been awarded a $1 million state grant to turn the Arlanza neighborhood into a “blue zone” that will try to help residents live longer, healthier lives.
The grant, made via a partnership with the California Volunteers program in the Governor’s Office, will fund a two-year effort in which five sub-neighborhoods in the greater Arlanza area will develop projects leading to a resident-driven community action plan, officials said Friday.
The projects will involve connectivity, nutrition, movement and climate, with the goal of increasing health and sustainability and positioning the neighborhood for more grant funding.
The city worked with community partners Riverside Community Health Foundation and Healthy Leaders Thriving Cities/Love Riverside to secure the competitive funding.
“Living longer and happier lived should be a goal for all residents,” Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “This is an opportunity for a new generation of Arlanza residents to enjoy a healthier community.”
Blue zones are defined as communities having populations living measurably longer, happier lives with lower rates of chronic diseases and a higher-than-average quality of life.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says life expectancy for Americans averaged 77.5 years in 2022, but more than 70,000 Americans will reach their 100th birthday this year, and city officials said the Arlanza project will draw inspiration from the examples set by residents with high life longevity.
Riverside has been a part of the greater Riverside County Blue Zones effort since the City Council voted to join it on Dec. 12. Officials said the potential value for the city includes modified behaviors, decreased instances of disease, medical cost savings, productivity savings and increased regional economic performance.
“It’s community investment, but on a human scale, with a project that impacts issues critical to sustainability in Riverside,” Councilman Jim Perry said.