Getting exercise outside in Hagerstown just got a little easier.
The new South End walking loop officially was finished in early October and is ready for walkers.
“It’s so great to have a path laid out for you,” said Kerry Fair, neighborhood partnership coordinator for Bester Community of Hope. “It’s easy to navigate, and gives the community a fun way to exercise.”
The 3-mile loop was created by Bester Community of Hope with a grant from the Washington County Health Department in support of the group’s walking school bus initiative.
Fair said it was created in an attempt to find a way to connect bus stops in the South End and make them more accessible.
“When we looked at the number of stops and how to connect them, we discovered that it came out to be almost a 5K,” Fair said. “We thought it would be great to just make it a walking loop to help promote and encourage exercise.”
To help bring information to the community in one place, the project includes four boards where local updates will be posted.
The boards will include fliers for upcoming events, a calendar of activities, and useful tips and information for members of the community. They will be maintained by Bester Community of Hope and the Neighborhoods 1st groups of Hagerstown.
“We thought that the boards would be a great way to connect with the community, including those who may not have access to the internet or a smartphone,” Fair said.
During their journey on the South End loop, walkers will pass historic local sites, including City Park and Rose Hill Cemetery, as well as a mural on West Memorial Boulevard and the Mural of Unusual Size on the Hagerstown Cultural Trail.
Fair and Bester Community of Hope have created a bi-weekly walking group for those looking for some company to try out the new loop and get some regular exercise.
The group is open to everyone and begins walking every Tuesday and Friday morning at 9 a.m., starting at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown. The walk will go around the entire loop, which takes about 45 minutes to walk.
“We hold each other accountable, and it’s a great way to get our steps in,” Fair said.
But those looking to lose some weight have one obstacle along the loop.
“If you’re walking the trail in the evening, it does take you past Krumpe’s Do-Nuts, which can be tempting,” Fair said.
“South End walking loop organizers look to promote community health with new path” – By Valerie Bonk here: Herald Mail Article