As the seasons shift and days grow shorter, a unique initiative at Connell Park is providing a refreshing way to embrace wellness. The Connell Park Walking Club, a community-driven endeavor, brings people together to walk and engage in conversations about health topics ranging from mental well-being to the benefits of family meals.
This Saturday marks a milestone as the club embarks on its 100th walk, continuing a journey that started earlier this year.
“Early on, it was kind of an uphill battle to let everyone know that we were here and start building that community, but once it took root, I’m not surprised at all that we’re hitting our 100th walk,” stated Roxy Brown, recreation access specialist with Valley in Motion.
Initiated by Valley in Motion, based in Lackawanna County, the club was inspired by the national Walk with a Doc program. This concept was launched by Dr. David Sabgir, an Ohio cardiologist, in 2005 to motivate lifestyle changes outside the confines of a clinical setting.
Building Relationships and Knowledge
Participants in Scranton benefit from brief educational talks before embarking on a walk of over a mile, where they engage with health and fitness experts. These interactions not only enhance health knowledge but also foster lasting friendships.
According to Brown, “We have a couple members who said that the friendships that they’ve made at that group they can tell are going to be lasting, and really something that has been value added to their life.”
Debbie Cron, a 54-year-old participant, joined the club last November. Having resumed walking this year after the winter break, she values the quick-paced walks and the health insights gained, such as understanding Lyme Disease and practicing balance exercises.
‘Enjoy Company’
Connell Park, spanning 25 acres, offers trails that wind through serene wooded areas. Gus Fahey, president of Valley in Motion, notes that many people feel uneasy walking alone in the woods.
“But here you can walk with a group. You can get out into nature. You can get in tune with parts of our human existence that we don’t normally get in an urban environment, and enjoy company,” Fahey remarked.
Cron echoes this sentiment, saying, “Walking with a group is always the best thing to do.”
While many Walk with a Doc events occur monthly, Fahey believes in the importance of weekly gatherings to cultivate healthy habits.
“But for us, we thought it was important if you want to get people into healthy habits, you have to at least have a linchpin once a week that people can make part of their routine,” Fahey explained.
100th Walk
The 100th walk of the Connell Park Walking Club is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at 800 Gibbons St., Scranton. Lisa Rigau, R.N., from Healthy Lifestyle Management, will join the event to discuss the pillars of health. The walk is free and open to everyone, regardless of fitness level.
Other Walk with a Doc programs in the region include:
Countryside Conservancy, first Saturday of every month, 11 a.m., Trolley Trail, 25 Church Hill Road, Dalton (Church of the Epiphany Parking Lot).
