Fayette Family Walking Series due to begin
“Most of the participants on the walks expressed an interest in continuing in the fall,” said Kelly Loomis, co-chairwoman of the Fayette County Healthy Lifestyles Task Force and project coordinator for Steps to a Healthier PA – Fayette County. The fall walking series, which will begin in Masontown and last six weeks, also hopes to attract people who prefer to walk in the cooler weather of autumn. The walks will continue on Wednesdays but begin a half-hour earlier at 6 p.m.
The Fayette County Healthy Lifestyles Task Force, a subcommittee of the Fayette County Community Health Improvement Partnership, sponsors the walking series, which is offered for free. The goals of the task force are to improve the health of Fayette County residents by increasing their level of physical activity and promoting healthful eating habits.
The walking series was an effort to find an activity that people of all ages could do so that families could enjoy it together. Participants took part in a walk that included a lesson in local history with area residents acting as guides at sites throughout Fayette County.
The 10-week series became a phenomenon.
“We averaged around 100 people for each of the walks,” said Loomis. “When we started we hoped to get 30. Getting 100 was a huge success.”
Walkers ranged in age from 2 to 87 and came from all areas of the county. Even people from out of state participated with a walker from Louisiana coming the furthest away. The largest group was 173 walkers, who showed up for the event at Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Springhill Township.
The fall walking series, which runs through Oct. 15, will begin Sept. 10 and repeat the final walk in the summer series, which took place in Masontown and was affected by rain.
Here is the schedule as released by the Healthy Lifestyles Task Force:
– Sept. 10 – “The series begins with a ‘Walk with WHIM’ in Masontown. Stroll through the residential section and see some historical buildings with your hosts, the WHIM (Wellness and Health in Masontown) committee members. Meet at the Masontown United Methodist Church.”
– Sept. 17 – Brownsville – “‘Rediscovering Historical Brownsville’ Join your guide Norma Ryan on a walk through historical Brownsville. Meet at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church.”
– Sept. 24 – Christian Klay Winery in Chalk Hill – “‘Sunset Vineyard Walk’ Join Sharon Klay for a walk through some of the 10 acres of vineyards and see a tour of wine making. Meet at the barn parking area.”
– Oct. 1 – Jumonville – “‘Greene Cathedral Walk’ See the natural beauty of the Green Cathedral, experience Jumonville’s architecture, and learn the historical significance of Jumonville from the French and Indian War through the Civil War orphans school and all the way to today. Robert Adamovich, an accomplished engineer/designer and local historian will be your guide.
Wear good walking or hiking shoes and meet at the Beatty Museum, which is two buildings down from the main Jumonville entranceway.”
– Oct. 15 – Dunbar – “‘Autumn History Walk’ Walk through the town of Dunbar and along the newly constructed Sheepskin Trail. Hear about the history of the area from a local guide from the Dunbar Historical Society. Meet at the historical society.” Loomis said officials are looking at different things to do in the winter but will pick up the walking series again in the spring.
For more information, call 724-439-1484 or visit online at www.stepstoahealthierfayettecounty.org
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