The city of Owensboro and a variety of local organizations will launch an initiative next week to encourage people to walk more and to gather and socialize while walking.
The Walk Owensboro program is a partnership between the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, Owensboro Health, the Green River District Health Department, the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute, RiverValley Behavioral Health and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.
“We know that walking is the best exercise out there, and we have wonderful trails in our park system,” said Kerry Bodenheimer, recreation superintendent for the Parks and Recreation Department.
Walking, Bodenheimer said, “is very easy for everybody to engage in.”
According to the American Heart Association, walking for exercise can lower the risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The organization says walking also benefits the brain and helps with sleep and mood.
Bodenheimer said Walk Owensboro is based on a similar initiative in Philadelphia. Walkers will be encouraged to form groups that will be listed on the city’s website so new members can join.
She said the groups will provide strength in numbers for walkers who otherwise would be reluctant to walk alone, while also building connections with other people.
“It’s a great way to build the social side as well as the physical side,” Bodenheimer said.
“If I just moved to town, or I’m an older individual and don’t feel comfortable walking alone, I can walk with a group,” she said.
Later, Bodenheimer added, “I think everybody learned during the COVID lockdown how important social interactions are.”
The groups will kick off the initiative on Tuesday with a 4 p.m. event at Moreland Park. The event will give people a chance to learn more about Walk Owensboro and begin registering walking groups to be listed on the city’s website. The event will also include food, giveaways, children’s activities, a session on stretching for walking, a scavenger hunt and a walk around the Moreland Park trail.
The city plans similar events each fall and spring to encourage people to walk and join walking groups. In the winter, groups can continue walking at various indoor locations such as the Dugan Best Recreation Center, the Owensboro Family YMCA, the Owensboro Health Healthpark and some churches, Bodenheimer said.
“We have amazing walking paths in all of our parks,” she said, adding that walking is an activity for adults, children and retirees.
“It’s available to all ages,” Bodenheimer said.
By: James Mayse Messenger-Inquirer