From left are Sheriff Dan Miller; Ann Price, Florence County Health Department nurse; and Lindsey Hawks-Fabri, deli manager at Pat’s Foods.

The Florence County Healthy and Safe Living Task Force, working with community partners, has developed a park and ride program, using the southwest corner of the parking lot at Pat’s Foods in Florence, Wis. According to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, the percentage of adults in Florence County who drive alone to work is 87%. Car pools and ride shares can be cost-effective, improve mobility and quality of life for seniors, and reduce stress for commuters.