While it is well known that walking is good for one's health, motivating people to walk can be a challenge. People with pre-diabetes or diabetes especially benefit from daily exercise. Clinicians in the Southcoast Health's Diabetes Management Program (DMP) have begun to use the new Alfred J. Lima Quequechan River Trail as an ideal motivator. Over the past year. the project has constructed a bicycle and walking path that runs over a former railroad bed to connect with Britland Park and Rodman Street. Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and by the Gateway City Park Program of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the trail opens up nearly two miles of a natural habitat right in the middle of some of the lowest income sections of the City. In concert with the recently-funded Fall River Mass In Motion 1422 Project, the Southcoast DMP is now scheduling weekly walks for those who want to reduce their risk of developing diabetes by getting regular exercise. "It's a fabulous place to walk," stated Diabetes Educator Michael See. "Once people discover this beautiful gem right in the heart of the City, I'll have no problem getting people to walk," he added. Click here for views in October 2015 and here for views in March 2016. For more information about the walks, contact Michael See, at 877-212-9135. 

(Top row) Southcoast Health's Diabetes Management Program (DMP) Diabetes Educator Michael See joins Margaret Riley of the Swansea Council on Aging for one of the weekly walks on the Trail. (Row two) A turkey vulture and some Canada geese inhabit the area. (Rows three and four) Mike and Margaret make their way a half mile down the Trail encountering dozens of other walkers along the way. (Rows five and six) One of several historical markets displays a section of the original railroad that used to carry trains to and from the many mills that were constructed along river in the 19th Century while a kayaker enjoys the views..