Healthy citizens are an integral part of creating a sustainable community. Bloomington and Monroe County contain hundreds of miles of recreation trails, dozens of square feet of fitness space and a world-class health care system that serves much of the state.

In Bloomington, the great outdoors are in our backyard. Located 15 miles south of the City are two of Indiana's most popular outdoor recreation spots, Monroe Lake and the Hoosier National Forest.

The Lake was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1965 to provide flood protection against the White River and drinking water for the area's communities. Today, it provides locals and tourists with a place to swim, boat and fish. The Hoosier National Forest was established in 1935 to protect the unique features of Southern Indiana's wooded areas. The forest abounds in natural beauty as well as historical sites, such as the 1930s-era Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower.

Staying in shape isn't nearly as hard in a place with as many fitness options as Bloomington. The City's workout-minded citizens are served by the Twin Lakes Recreation Center, Indiana University's two RecSports facilities, the Monroe County YMCA and dozens of private gyms and studios.

The Twin Lakes Recreation Center is a City-owned and -maintained comprehensive fitness center with cardio and strength training rooms as well as basketball courts and other open-play areas. IU's Student Recreational Sports Complex and Wildermuth Intramural Center both house indoor swimming pools and are free to students. The local YMCA combines fitness and social responsibility with classes on volunteerism, childhood education and leadership.

Bloomington is crisscrossed with more than 72 miles of bike lanes and multi-use paths. The City is a Silver-level Bicycle-Friendly Community, according to the League of American Bicyclists, and the newest addition to that mileage count, The B-Line Trail, has been recognized as an "Outstanding Transportation Project" by the Indiana Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The trails and walkways are supported by an extensive park system. Playgrounds, softball and baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts and picnic shelters are in every neighborhood. Some parks, such as the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve and the Wapehani Mountain Bike Park, are large enough to support hiking, biking and boating.

Indiana University Health is a partnership between the state's hospitals, such as Bloomington Hospital, and physicians and the Indiana University School of Medicine. IU Health has been nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report for 14 consecutive years, and 80 percent of Indiana's top doctors practice in the IU Health system.

Bloomington Hospital has been the primary public hospital for the Bloomington area since 1905, eventually growing to serve 10 counties in southern Indiana. It became part of the IU Health system in 2010.