Active Living & the Mary Black Foundation

     Active living refers to a way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines. This includes having access to places that offer opportunities to be physically active. Sidewalks, bicycle lanes, walking trails, parks and green spaces all provide opportunities for recreation and allow individuals to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.

These spaces must be accessible, safe, and well-maintained.

The Mary Black Foundation funds Upstate Forever through its Active Living initiative. Upstate Forever Spartanburg's five primary objectives include:

1. General education and advocacy on topics and issues related to Active Living

2. Active living assessment of the codes and ordinances in both the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg County aimed at identifying provisions that impede the development of safe and walkable communities

3. Big box initiative to address issues of design, impacts, and abandonment of large retail projects in Spartanburg County

4. Parks and open space initiative to advocate for a dedicated and significant source of local funding for public parks and open space in Spartanburg County.

5. Downtown revitalization, to become involved in ongoing efforts to make the downtown area of Spartanburg more pedestrian friendly.