Columbia City Walks Event on May 13

Mari Becker, Sound Steps Walking Program

This spring, take a step in the right direction...take a step toward health.  Join other active senior adults for the first ever Columbia City Walks celebration! 

On Saturday, May 13, from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Columbia City in south Seattle will be full of people who take their health seriously, but know that being healthy can be fun. With a walking loop, historical walk, exercise demonstrations, health screenings, and free raffle prizes, the goal is to motivate everyone involved to join an ongoing community walking group or other physical activity or nutrition group. 

The event begins with registration and kick-off at Columbia Park, a block west of Rainier Avenue S. on S. Edmunds. King County Executive Ron Sims and other dignitaries will welcome the community, followed by performances of Brazilian martial arts, senior line dancers, Cambodian youth dancers, and Orca School acrobats.

At the same time, participants can enjoy a walking loop along Rainier Avenue. Local businesses along the way will host tables with information about physical activity, nutrition, and chronic disease. There will also be demonstrations of tai chi, tai kwon do, stretching, yoga and more. Free massage will be offered, along with health screenings, including blood pressure.

A raffle drawing will take place back at Columbia Park at 1:00 p.m. Everyone who completes the loop walk and turns in their "passport" will be eligible to win the raffle prizes, including two free senior adult trips through Seattle Parks and Recreation, a Sonicare toothbrush, two tickets to Columbia City Cinema, gift baskets from Starbucks and Columbia City Bakery, dinners at Geraldine's and Tutta Bella, a month's membership at Rainier Health and Fitness, and more.
     
Columbia City Walks was planned by King County Public Health, University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center, Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers, and Seattle Parks and Recreation's Sound Steps Walking Program.  

Invite your friends and come celebrate your health!

If you can't make it to Columbia City Walks, you still have the chance to join a free walking group through the Sound Steps program. Walking has been shown to be an effective way to prevent and treat a variety of chronic illnesses, including obesity, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and asthma. Senior adults consistently call walking their favorite form of exercise, as it is easy on the joints, fosters new friendships, and does not require extra equipment or cost. 

For more information about the Columbia City Walks, contact Mari Becker, Sound Steps Walking Program Coordinator, at (206) 684-4664.