Walking Trail offers fun and fitness
The CWP recognizes minutes walked instead of miles to make the challenge equal among walkers of all ages and fitness levels. The program encourages walkers to achieve goals of total walking time. Participants can walk anywhere and at any time whether it is at the mall, a local high school track, in their neighborhood or on treadmill in their home or a fitness center.
Union Hospital and the New Philadelphia Business and Community Association (NPBCA) have collaborated to bring walkers a new venue for fun and fitness with the Downtown New Philadelphia Walking Trail.
The walking trail includes a 0.4 mile trail as well as a longer 0.7 mile trail marked with new NPBCA Walking trail logos that begin and end at the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Walkers can choose one or both trails to best achieve their fitness goals.
“We are extremely happy to partner with Union Hospital and the Community Walking Program to encourage walking for health and fitness,” said Debbie Aubihl-Knisely, administrative director for the New Philadelphia Business and Community Association. “In the spring the Association plans to coordinate organized walks throughout downtown. We will announce the walks early in the year.” In the meantime, the walking path is open to the public to use at their convenience.
The Downtown New Philadelphia Walking Trail allows walkers to enjoy the fresh air as well as the charm of the historic downtown business district.
To participate in the CWP, walkers can pick up an official walking time record to better track minutes walked. The forms are available at the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Towne Mall business office or by visiting Union Hospital. Forms are available from Union Hospital’s department page under Community Health and Wellness at www.unionhospital.org.
Walking time record forms can be turned in at the Convention and Visitors Bureau or at the Union Hospital Community Walking booth at New Towne Mall.
Members of the Union Hospital Community Health and Wellness staff can be found at New Towne Mall the third Friday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.
The CWP recognition milestones begin modestly and increase based roughly on a walking program of 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Four levels are recognized and participants receive recognition after 500 minutes walked with the receipt of a Healthy You Recognition sticker. After 1,500 minutes, participants receive a backpack, at 3,000 minutes walked, a Healthy You T-shirt and finally an invitation to the CWP Recognition Event after 6,000 minutes.
For more information, contact the New Philadelphia Business and Community Association office at 330-602-1419 or Union Hospital Community Health and Wellness office at 330-602-0778.