Walking trails seek to improve residents' health

Mar 18, 2015 at 12:00 am by Observer-Review


Walking trails seek to improve residents' health ADVERTISEMENT

Walking trails seek to improve residents' health

SCHUYLER COUNTY--A community effort is underway to encourage those leading sedentary lifestyles to get up and get healthy by encouraging them to explore different walking paths in the county. Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Schuyler is currently compiling a map to distribute showing all available trails in the county as a step toward improving the health of area residents.
"Our community plan is focused on weak areas of health in Schuyler County's community," HEAL Team member Chris Brink said. "Obesity is one area of weakness for the Schuyler County Community. Walking is an easy way to get people up and moving. The HEAL team is encouraging every village and town to make the walking maps their own to create more support for creating a healthy community."
While the map is still in progress, Brink and HEAL Schuyler members are working with area municipalities to develop the map, which includes paths like the Catharine Valley Trail and a "Healthy Heart Community Mile" in Watkins Glen that loops from First to Ninth Street down Franklin and Decatur Streets. HEAL Schuyler's goal is to decrease obesity by increasing physical activity in the community. According to the group, Schuyler County's current obesity rate is at 29 percent, which they say is 5 percent higher than the New York State average. HEAL Schuyler said the goal is to motivate 5 percent of the population -- approximately 739 people -- to lose some weight by utilizing healthy living habits. Brink said the HEAL Team is looking for all trails available to the community, and are working with every town and village in Schuyler County.
Brink said the community plan also includes working on obesity, diabetes, depression and anxiety in the elderly, along with many more community health issues. She said in addition to the walking maps, HEAL is focused on healthy food options in schools and organizing walking events. Brink said the maps will also work to inform Schuyler County residents of what their community has to offer for walking and other healthy activities, then developing a support system that keeps them moving.
"HEAL has a website (www.schuylercounty.us/index.aspx?nid=640) that we are looking at getting the maps on, so people who are visiting can also utilize the maps," Brink said. "If you go to the Schuyler County website, you can search for HEAL and it is a webpage that is in progress on giving more information on health in our community. We are working on improving this site to be more friendly on finding ways to stay healthy."

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