Ephraim

Ephraim City is a strong rural community that prides itself in providing its residents with a high quality of life. The community offers connected walking and biking trails, community sports, and outdoor recreational opportunities a like frisbee golf course. The community recently passed an ordinance that requires new subdivisions to provide sidewalks and lights, ensuring residents have safe and accessible walking routes near their home. The community also prioritizes access to healthy food and incentivized a grocery store to locate in an underserved area of the community.

HEALTH STRATEGIES

Collaboration 

• A relationship with the local health department
• A resource page on city website to assist in accessing healthy foods, physical activity, and mental health resources
• Health-related objectives in city's general plan
• Utilized and implemented strategies from an existing community health needs assessment
• A moderate income housing plan

Access to Healthy Food 

• Provided financial incentives for a grocery store to locate in an underserved area
• A community garden
• A written requirement addressing healthy food and beverage choices in city/town-owned/managed facilities
• A written requirement addressing healthy food and beverage choices at city/town-sponsored functions

Active Living 

• A written guideline that promotes active transportation/physical activity for city employees
• Free and/or low-cost community sports/fitness programs for adults and children
• Connected walking and biking trails
• Provided guidance on joint-use agreements for facilities in our community that can be used for physical activity
• An active transportation plan
• An ordinance that requires new subdivisions to provide sidewalks and lights
• Wayfinding signage that promotes active transportation

Mental Health 

• At least one evidence-based program or initiative that provides education, awareness, and training to community members around mental health
• Medication disposal services, locations, or programs
• Gun locks available for free for community members

2025 Redesignation:

To be redesignated in Fall 2025, Ephraim focused on improving access to active living opportunities for residents. The city enhanced a rough, rocky trail by removing large rocks and filling in potholes, making it bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. This trail, which runs alongside the local disc golf course, is now more frequently used by residents and visitors, supporting a more active community lifestyle.

HEALTH STRATEGIES

Active Living

• Upgraded an existing trail to be more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly, increasing community use