"He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything" -Thomas Carlyle
The health of Ivy City can be seen through the growth of the community, the strengthening of its people, and the growing number of locations encouraging physical activity.
Physical Health
Part of Ivy City's increasing development has included a variety of businesses promoting physical health.
Crossfit Hierarchy, a popular crossfit gym with another location in Adams Morgan, offers a place for intense exercise in the heart of Ivy City. A Planet Fitness gym recently opened in the developing area near the Hecht warehouse as well. There is also a Bikram Yoga studio, a Capital Bikeshare station, and a Bicycle Space branch centered around any bicyclists' need.
Environmental Health
Ivy City shows some great strides in improving the health and appearance of its physical environment.
The area around the Hecht Warehouse is lined with old fashioned street lights decorated with with the Hecht logo and the neighborhood name. In the same area, the signs for local businesses are beautiful and almost extravagant. The area is clean and, as seen from a stroll through the neighborhood, has a number of roaming street cleaners. The environment feels safe and very livable.
A few blocks outside of the the developed Hecht Warehouse area shows a different environment that is in need of improvement for its residents.
Despite the presence of street cleaners in the developed area, there are many areas deeper in the city that a littered with trash. Many of the blocks resemble concrete hallways, a holdover from the city's industrial background.
Healthy Eating
Ivy City has a growing number of healthy options for shopping and dining.
Mom's Organic Market, the only grocery store currently servicing Ivy City, offers organic, fresh produce as well as a variety of grocery store fare. This market, with several locations in the tri-state area, gives residents access to healthy options that create their day to day diet. In fact, Ivy City has a very low obesity rate compared to the national average. Dining in Ivy City, though fairly limited, offers a good mix of food that gives customers an option to eat well. Ivy City Smokehouse, and Ari's Diner both have diverse menus (and amazing food!) that contribute to the growing health of the city.