The Healthy City Fall River initiative launched a summer walking program, Fall River WALKS, on May 7, 2007, at the Fall River YMCA. This event was followed by five 30-minute noontime walks at locations throughout the city on each of the remaining weekdays from May 7^th through the 11th. The series of walks highlights some of the walking routes throughout the city that have been identified on the Healthy City web site by a task force on walking. The first twenty-five walkers at each location received a t-shirt, a pedometer and a water bottle. “This is a great opportunity to highlight the many wonderful walking routes that many people now use throughout the city,” commented Healthy City Coordinator David S. Weed, Psy.D. “This project encourages people of all ages to walk on a regular basis and encourages physicians and other medical providers to prescribe walking along with medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other conditions that can be reduced or eliminated with regular exercise. Click here to see the next walk at HealthFirst Family Care Center on May 8th. For more information about the project, contact Dr. Weed at 508-324-2411.

(Top row, left) Del Mello, Barbara Nataly, Rita Walton, Irene Price and Shirley Martin, who get together frequently for walks, get ready for the kick-off walk at the YMCA on North Main Street. (Top row, center) YMCA Executive Director Frank Duffy welcomes over 50 walkers to the event. (Top row, right) Healthy City Fall River Coordinator David Weed thanks Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School graphic arts student Crystal Soares for submitting the winning logo for Fall River WALKS displayed on the banner. (Middle row, from left) YMCA staffer and WALKS planning committee member Mike Mahoney talks with Mr. Duffy as the group participates in warm-up exercises led by Julie McGuinn of Curves for Women on Tucker Street. (Bottom row, right) Following the walk, Mrs. Charette talks with Peg Marchand of the HealthFirst Family Care Center who serves on the Fall River WALKS planning committee as HealthFirst staffer Linda Clukies and Diman student Crystal Soares listen in the background. Sponsors of the walks included the Community Foundation of SE MA, Diabetes Association, the Fall River YMCA, General Fitness, HealthFirst Family Care Center, Pereira's Medical Uniform Depot, Southcoast Hospitals and St. Anne’s Hospital.