Healthy Belmont

The City of Belmont is charged with protecting the health, safety and welfare of its residents. Whether through land development decisions, parks and recreation activities, or educational workshops, the City strives to provide opportunity for its residents to make its residents healthy.

Gaston County has a greater percentage of overweight and obese residents than the state average. The City of Belmont and Gaston County have many programs and activities to encourage residents to make healthier decisions regarding eating and physical activity. Below are some activities, programs, and information available to help improve our public health.

One project that the City of Belmont, Gaston County Health Department, and residents of the Reid Community are working together on is a new community garden at Reid Park. Work began on October 31, 2009 with Reid Community residents, Boy Scout Troop 62 from the First Presbyterian Church, and other volunteers building 12 raised beds and preparing the organic soil for vegetable seedlings to be planted soon.

The City of Belmont also partnered with Belmont Central Elementary School on a grant to build an 8 bed raised bed garden on the school campus. This garden will teach students about fresh fruit and vegetables and will allow them to have fresh healthy snacks at school.

You can improve your health and the environment by buying food that is grown or raised locally. Gaston County and the surrounding area has many farms that produce fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. For mor information about local farms and how to purchase food produced locally, please click here.