(Canton, OH) October 18, 2018 – Signs will soon go up to identify the 2 new walking paths in Canton. The new paths are in the Aultman Neighborhood and are part of the ever-growing Stark Walks program, designed to encourage safe and free exercise.
Stark Walks gives residents new places to exercise and inspires neighbors to form walking groups. The program encourages residents to take a step in the right direction by walking the paths and exploring the community – creating a culture of healthier lives by reducing health risks in Stark County. Signs indicate distance and approximate travel-time so individuals can measure their walking distance and time spent being physically active within their own neighborhood.
The new Aultman Neighborhood paths explore the Southwest Canton community from Bellflower Avenue SW to Arlington Avenue SW. These routes are centered around the hub of the community, Aultman Hospital and the surrounding neighborhood.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports: less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day; only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week; more than 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities; and more than 80% of adolescents do not do enough aerobic physical activity to meet the guidelines for youth.
“Aultman is an exemplary community partner. We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer 2 new Stark Walks paths to the people in their community”, says Maria Heege, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Stark County. “Regular exercise has significant health benefits and ties into our Bold Goal to increase the amount of Stark County residents who report that they are healthy. The 17 walking paths available in the Stark Walks program make it easier for individuals and groups to achieve the recommended daily activity levels, which helps burn calories and lowers risk of heart disease.”
According to the American Heart Association, walking is one of the simplest ways to get active and stay active. Research has shown that walking can have a significant impact on your health by lowering your chances of heart disease. They suggest that individuals start a walking club to motivate each other. More information on how to do that is available at www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/walking/start-or-join-a-walking-club
“Stark Walks is an uncomplicated, new way for residents to increase their levels of daily physical activity through something as simple as walking,” says Chelsea Sadinski, Health Educator at the Stark County Health Department. “The World Health Organization recommends different minutes of weekly, moderate activity for all age groups: 420 for children and adolescents, 300 for adults aged 18-64, and 150 for ages 65 & older. Walking is an easy, low-impact activity for all ages and is a good way to achieve your weekly activity goals, plus gradually build up your strength and agility.”
About Stark Walks
Three years ago, Live Well Stark County mapped several walking routes where people live, work and play in Canton, referred to as Stark Walks. In 2016, United Way of Greater Stark County joined the effort to develop additional routes, signs and expand participation throughout Stark County. Stark Walks is supported by Stark County Health Department and United Way of Greater Stark County through Live Well Stark County coalition. As of October 2018, 5 Stark Walks maps exist with 17 routes totaling 17.13 miles and 342 minutes available to residents. Stark Walk map loops include: Aultman Neighborhood – 2 paths totaling 2.9 miles at 55 minutes; Edward Coleman – 3 paths totaling 3 miles at 63 minutes; Downtown McKinley to Market – 4 paths totaling 3.5 miles at 70 minutes; St. Paul Square – 4 paths totaling 3 miles at 60 minutes; DeHoff Library – 4 paths totaling 4.73 miles at 94 minutes. Visit uwstark.org/our-work/community-programs/stark-walks for more information and the maps available for each group of routes.
About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.