WELCOME!

Join others in participating in the City of Weatherford Parks and Recreation Department's Walking for Wellness Program. Start anytime. Simply register online so you can submit your miles or steps and you'll be included in the Current Totals for the City of Weatherford. Or you can submit your miles using the walking log sheet found on the About Us page. You can also send them via email to walkinginfo@swosu.edu. Whichever way you choose, it's free, it's fun and it's for everybody. There's no limit to the number of participants. There's no minimum amount to walk. There's no commitment. You just walk...for the health of it!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Walk in the Park – Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00PM
To celebrate Great Outdoors Monthand to continue to increase awareness about the benefits of walking, the Weatherford Walking for Wellness Program is encouraging people of all ages to take part in the “Walk in the Park” event on Tuesday, June 16 at 7PM at Rader Park. Anyone can participate in this free event!

The walking event serves as a reminder to the Weatherford community to not only get outside and enjoy the parks, but to take some time to share a memorable experience with family and friends…like a walk in the park.Exploring the great outdoors can help improve one's health. It’s a great way to combine the enjoyment of being outside with the chance to exercise. Everyone, kids and adults, are encouraged to get off the couch, away from the computers and video games, and get involved in healthy and active outdoor adventures.

Rader Park is located north on Lyle Road. The walk will start at the south pavilion located inside the playground area, which is north of the Weatherford Eagle baseball field. After the walk, a brief overview of area outdoor opportunities will be presented, followed by a prize drawing. Everyone is welcome to attend the free event.

For more information about Rader Park, as well as the 11 other parks in the Weatherford community, visit www.cityofweatherford.com/parks.php. And don’t forget to grab your walking shoes, your family and friends, and join the Walking for Wellness Program’s “Walk in the Park” at Rader Park on June 16.

Water Walking – Tuesday, July 14 (Tentative Date; Time TBA)
Another outdoor activity that incorporates walking is Water Walking. It’s easy on the joints and refreshingly cool in hot weather. And because the month of July is typically hot, the Weatherford Walking for Wellness Program has scheduled a Water Walking event on Tuesday, July 14 (Time TBA) at the City of Weatherford pool.

Water walking is becoming increasingly popular, with classes popping up across the country, and for good reason. Water walking is a no-impact way to strengthen your body, and it is also a good cross-training activity from walking on land.

How do you water walk? You walk through the water the same way you would on the ground. You’ll stand about waist- to chest-deep in water, unless you are deep-water walking. You can also try walking backward and sideways to tone other muscles. And don’t worry about how you look in a swimsuit. Feel free to wear your shorts and a t-shirt over your swimsuit. The wet clothes will increase the intensity of the walk in the water.

The free Water Walking event will be held at the City of Weatherford pool, which is located at Means Park (Huber and Indiana streets). After the fun water walking event and a brief overview of the various aquatic activities in the Weatherford area, a prize drawing will be held.

So leave your walking shoes in the closet, and hit the pool on July 14 for a walk in the water instead. For more information about Means Park, as well as the 11 other parks in the Weatherford community, visit www.cityofweatherford.com/parks.php.

Filladumpster Walk – Saturday,August 8at 8:00AM (Location TBA)
Based on the fiddleback spider’s name, the Walking for Wellness Program is hosting a “Filladumpster Walk” to raise awareness that a healthy body and a healthy environment can be created together. Litter cleanups are a workout with heavy bags and distances walked, and the impact you make as you go benefits the environment and community.

On Saturday, August 8 at 8AM, the Weatherford community is encouraged to take part in the litter walk and join others in taking pride in the beauty of Weatherford as well as pride in the planet by collecting litter from the roadsides around the Weatherford community.Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join the group. Bring your gloves and join your neighbors for your daily exercise and a friendly chat.

Of course, it takes more than an organized “Filladumpster Walk” to keep the community litter free and looking great. So a big “Thank You” to all who do their own private “Litter Walk”. It’s not uncommon to see walkers enjoying a walk around the community and carrying a plastic bag to pick up litter along the way.


The Weatherford Walking for Wellness Program is a free program for everybody and the “Filladumpster Walk” is one way for the Walking for Wellness Program participants to give back to the Weatherford community.

Why participate in a “Filladumpter” Walk?1) Litter is unattractive...and creates the impression that no one cares about the community. It negatively impacts our quality of life, property values, and businesses because people don't want to live, work, or shop in places that are dirty. 2) Litter can be dangerous...and may pose a safety hazard to adults, children, pets, and wildlife as well as an environmental hazard to our water supply and other natural areas. 3) It will discourage littering...since studies have shown people are less likely to litter in areas that are litter-free.

Together, not only will we be ‘walking for wellness’, but we will be walking our way to a litter free Weatherford, Oklahoma. Please give strong consideration to being a part of a community-wide volunteer initiative on August 8…for the health of it.

More Events

The 3rd year of the Walking for Wellness Program kicks off with a “What’s the Point in Walking” event on Tuesday, September 8. More details coming soon.

WALKING INFORMATION

Mapping and Planning Your Walks
Mapping and planning your walks has never been easier. No matter if you are at home, with the family on vacation, on a business trip or visiting relatives, you can map your walk. Visit MapMyWalk website (www.mapmywalk.com) and start mapping so you can start walking...no matter where you are.

Facebook Users
Weatherford Walking for Wellness Program events are now being posted on Facebook. Soon a group page will be developed for Facebook users to join, view other members, participate in discussion boards, and much more. Joining Facebook is free and it’s very easy. Just go to www.facebook.com and join the free-access social networking website that allows you to easily connect and interact with other people.

Got an iPhone?
WalkJogRun'siPhone/iPod Touch App uses your GPS location to find local exercise routes from WalkJogRun.net wherever you are in the world. You can view routes closest to you - or choose a specific distance you'd like to walk - and then see each route on a map. Take your phone with you and refresh the map to check your progress. For more information, visit www.WalkJogRun.net.

REPORTED TOTALS

Totals reported include walking activity submitted via walking logs as well as the walking website and emails.

2ND YEAR TOTALS (12-month program started September 2008): 
May 2009: Miles=1,263.35; Participants=41 adults. 
Year-to-Date (09/08-05/09): Miles=23,768.22; Participants=245.

1ST YEAR TOTALS (12-month program started September 2007): 
Total Miles (09/07-08/08)=61,631.17; Total Participants=327 adults, 1,090 public school students.

WAY TO WALK, WEATHERFORD!

WINNERS!


It pays to walk! Rose Millspaugh was the winner of the prize drawing for the May walking activity. She won a Wal-Mart gift card donated by the Walking for Wellness Program (thanks to a grant provided by Wal-Mart).

Participants submitting their monthly walking activity by the monthly deadline (using the walking website, the walking log sheet or walking email) are eligible for the monthly prize drawing.
 It pays in a GRAND way to walk! Walkers who submit their monthly walking activity each and every month throughout the year of the program will be entered into a Grand Prize drawing.

IT'S FREE!


Yes, the Walking for Wellness Program is free for everybody! But the program doesn't walk by itself. It needs your support. Donations, including in-kind gifts, are greatly appreciated. Contact the W'ford Parks & Recreation Department or any of the committee members (found on the Contact Us page) to make a tax-deductible donation or to provide in-kind gifts to the walking program. Donations will be used to help encourage people to be active and exercise as well as educate them about health issues so they can live longer, happier lives. Volunteer committee members organize the free Walking for Wellness Program. Fundraisers and donations pay for incentive prizes, motivational education expenses and promotional costs of the program. To support the future of the Walking for Wellness Program, please contact us today.

VOLUNTEER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!


The Walking for Wellness Program is still going strong...and continuing to make a difference in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The 2nd year of the program started September, 2007.

As a volunteer-driven program, the committee members are extremely vital to the success of the walking program. And as the program grows, so does the need for more volunteers. There is no doubt that the walking program is growing; so yes, we need more volunteers...we need YOU!
Please give consideration to being a volunteer for the Walking for Wellness Program. If interested, please email walkinginfo@swosu.edu.What could be more fitting than to volunteer for a community-wide program that includes fun, friends and fitness?!

WEATHERFORD, LET'S ALL WALK...FOR THE HEALTH OF IT!