Physical Activity and Nutrition

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity helps improve your overall health and fitness, reduces your risk for many chronic diseases, helps control weight, and strengthens muscles, bones and joints. Fitting regular exercise into your daily schedule may seem difficult initially, but dedicating just 30 minutes a day to getting active can help you create a healthy lifestyle habit and achieve your long-term exercise goals. It’s easier than you think, and in Putnam County, there are lots of places to get outdoors and get moving!

Outdoor Parks & Recreation in Putnam County

  • Features: Shelter reservations, picnic areas, playgrounds, baseball and softball fields, basketball courts and athletic fields, Sprayground
  • Activities: Walking and jogging, jungle gym, water sprays and splashes
  • Location: 3511 WV-34 Hurricane, WV 25526
  • Website: https://www.hurricanewv.com/things-to-do/parks-and-recreation/

  • Features: 50 acres of land, athletic facilities, space for arts and entertainment and pickleball courts
  • Activities: Fundraising, travel league tournaments, walking, hiking and biking
  • Location: 2 entrances, one off Midland Trail and one off Main Street at First Baptist Church
  • Website: https://www.hurricanewv.com/government/parks-and-rec/city-park-map

  • Features: Season passes, cabana and tube rentals and pool party package for purchase
  • Activities: Swimming and water slides
  • Location: 1 Valley Dr, Hurricane, WV, 25526
  • Website: https://putnamcountyparks.com/waves-of-fun/

Meek Mountain Trails is a trail system with 20+ miles of trails in the heart of Hurricane. These trails were designed to be accessible for all ages, and to promote physical wellness. All trails are designed for two-way traffic and bike riders have the right-of-way on the trails. Pets are allowed but need to be kept on a leash. There are several different trails to choose from – everyone, from beginners to experts, will have a trail that suits them.

  • Features: Walking paths, pet friendly, beginner and expert trails
  • Activities: Hiking, biking, walking and running
  • Location: Entrance at Hurricane City Park
  • Website: meekmoutainstrails.org

  • Features: Two boat play structures, picnic shelter, fenced-in play area, basketball court and a canoe/kayak/paddleboard launch
  • Activities: Jungle gym, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, and basketball
  • Location: At the end of Garfield Street next to the Winfield Community Center
  • Website: https://cityofwinfield.squarespace.com/

  • Features: Shelter reservations, gazebo, volleyball court, basketball court, baseball field and concessions
  • Activities: Jungle gym and little league games
  • Location: Beside the Eleanor Fire Station
  • Website: http://eleanorwv.com/parks-and-recreation/

Nutrition

Proper nutrition is critical to good health. Choosing to integrate more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and protein into your diet can improve overall health and lower your risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. In Putnam County, there are many programs that help families, youths and adults with limited resources eat healthier. Click below to explore options.

Food Assistance Programs & Local Vendors in Putnam County

Facing Hunger Food Bank offers a variety of programs for food-insecure families in our communities including:

  • The Backpack Program for students and children
  • Commodity Supplemental Food Program for seniors 60+
  • Medically Indicated Food Box Program for households with one or more chronically ill family members
  • Community Supported Agriculture Program for seniors
  • Emergency Food Assistance Program for families and seniors
  • Summer Food Service Program for families with children
  • Mobile Food Pantries
  • Food Rescue Program

To learn more about any these programs, go to: https://facinghunger.org/programs/

Putnam County Aging fights hunger in our communities daily. They provide meals at local senior centers and also coordinate a “Meals on Wheels” program where meal deliveries are made straight to seniors’ homes in Putnam County! Meals are provided to seniors at no cost.

To learn more, click here.

The Putnam Farmers Market features local vendors from within a 50-mile radius of or from West Virginia. At the market, you’ll find in-season produce, locally raised meat, farm fresh eggs, home-baked goods, local honey, fresh flowers, berries, handmade jewelry and crafts, and so much more from local farmers and artisans!

The market is open May through October every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm in the field next to Exxon on Route 34.

To learn more, visit the Putnam Farmers Market website here or follow them on Facebook.

SNAP-Ed is a USDA program that focuses on good nutrition, stretching food dollars, living physically active lifestyles, and engaging partners to build healthier communities. This helps to ensure a healthy choice is the easiest choice to make where people live, work, shop, play, eat, and learn.

For nutrition education materials and other resources, click here.

SNAP Stretch is a program of the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition that lets SNAP/EBT users stretch their dollars to buy more fruit and vegetables. How it works: For every SNAP dollar spent on qualifying food products at local farmers’ markets or grocers, you receive a $1 match in SNAP Stretch tokens to spend on fruits and veggies. Kids and seniors receive double the tokens when they shop.

For additional details about the program and to find participating SNAP Stretch locations, click here.

The WV Bureau for Family Assistance works to connect eligible families with a variety of assistance programs that can help with the cost of food, shelter, childcare, education resources, utility bills and more.

Click here for more information.

SFMNP is designed to get fresh, local fruits and vegetables into the hands of low-income senior citizens in our communities. Seniors sign up for the vouchers used to purchase fruits and vegetables from local producers at their county-level senior center. Senior applications will be available after June 1st at our local senior centers.

For more information, contact the Business Development Division at 304-558-2210 or email at SeniorFarmersMarket@wvda.us.

The mission of the West Virginia WIC program is to improve the health of women, infants and children in West Virginia by providing quality nutrition and breastfeeding counseling and education; as well as health monitoring and nutritious foods.

You can learn more about eligibility guidelines and WIC’s various programs by clicking here.

The WVU Family Nutrition Program encourages healthy lifestyle behaviors by:

  • Helping participants plan menus, read food labels and stretch their food dollars
  • Providing in-person and virtual food prep demonstrations
  • Using the USDA’s MyPlate and Dietary Guidelines to teach nutrition education
  • Improving availability and access to local community resources
  • And more!

To learn more about our local FNP, contact WVU Extension’s Putnam County Office or click here.

Other Nutrition Resources

Contact Information

Phone: (304) 757-2541 | Fax: (304) 757-7287
Email: putnamlhd@wv.gov
Physical Address: 11878 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 892, Winfield, WV 25213

Partners

Putnam County 4-H
Putnam Wellness Coalition
Tri-County YMCA
Try This WV
WV Immunization Network
WVU Extension – Putnam County