Hikers lace up their shoes for health and history
When park visitors share their ideas, the results can be amazing.
After years of being part of Red Oaks Waterpark’s River Walk program, where participants walk for fitness in the 990-foot, slow-moving lazy river after hours, a group of dedicated participants were ready for another challenge that extended beyond the Madison Heights, Mich. waterpark. They shared their thoughts with Oakland County Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor Sandy Dorey.
“They expressed to us their need for something where they could get out and explore the parks,” she says, “but they still wanted to be part of a group and share a collective experience. We developed the TrailBlazer Walking Series because of their feedback, and it has been a phenomenal program.”
The concept behind TrailBlazers is simple: Each week, participants meet at a different park and walk for an hour on paved or natural trails. The group is guided by a naturalist, citizen scientist, historian, or nature-center staff member who provides fun, interesting facts about the park—all while walking for fitness. Walk leaders are trained by a parks archivist in the history of the parks, and natural-resources staff members provide instruction on various park features, including plants and wildlife.