Klamath healthy places plan
Happy Cities led the development of an action plan to guide placemaking strategies for a healthier and happier Klamath.
Klamath County, known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, is exploring ways to build healthier communities through public realm improvements. (Healthy Klamath)
How do public spaces support community health?
The design of the built environment influences residents’ ability to make choices that support a healthy lifestyle, such as outdoor recreation and opportunities to connect with neighbours. Healthy Klamath engaged Happy Cities to build a placemaking action plan for Klamath County, with design and programming recommendations to nurture healthier and happier public spaces for all residents.
A unique opportunity to shape wellbeing in Klamath
Healthy Klamath collaborates with a network of community organizations and government agencies to improve the health of the Klamath community, in affiliation with the regional public health agency.
Klamath County is home to incredible landscapes, including Crater Lake, world-renowned birdwatching, and hundreds of miles of trails. But for the last few decades, the county has also grappled with worse-than-average public health outcomes, including those related to addictions, obesity, and access to health care. In addition, nearly 20 per cent of Klamath County residents live below the poverty line.
Through this work, Healthy Klamath recognizes the role that the built environment plays in strengthening public health outcomes and sought a plan to identify priorities, funding opportunities, and practical strategies for investing in public space improvements.
Photos and adjectives that reflect Klamath, shared by participants at the Healthy & Thriving Places Summit. (Happy Cities)
The Klamath healthy places plan
The Klamath Healthy Places Plan outlines key objectives and steps to improve the built environment, including design improvements and programming opportunities in public spaces over the next 10+ years.
Each of the recommendations from the action plan aligns with:
Existing municipal and regional policies
Best practices in urban design that support community wellbeing, such as public realm interventions, programs to activate public spaces, and opportunities to share resources and strengthen partnerships
Feedback from the 2025 Healthy & Thriving Places Summit, which brought over 29 organizations together to share their experiences and identify opportunities for improving the region’s built environment
The Healthy & Thriving Places Summit brought 29 organizations together for two days to share their experiences and imagine a healthier future for Klamath.
The plan’s actions are designed to build on one another, with the goal of building momentum and community capacity for public space design. In both the long and short term, investments in public spaces and shared amenities will support health outcomes around social connection, mental health, and physical activity to create a healthier future for Klamath.
