Are you wanting to begin a walking routine, but don’t know where to start? Walking is an easy, inexpensive way to help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, reduce the effects of stress, and lose weight.
Southern Illinois Healthcare and the American Heart Association together with the Jackson County Healthy Communities Coalition and the Franklin-Williamson Healthy Communities Coalition are bringing the American Heart Association’s Start! Walking program to local paths and parks. If you’re waiting to find a nice place to walk in your area, here you go! Just look for the signs with the green Start! logo.
Jackson County
Outdoor Trails:
Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, 405 W Jackson St, Carbondale:
Attucks Park, 400-800 N. Wall St, Carbondale: Attucks Park offers three easy trail lengths. Trail 1 is 0.6 miles, Trail 2 is 0.35 miles, and Trail 3 is 0.4 miles. The trail is paved with exercise stations along the path.
Marberry Arboretum, S. Wall St and Pleasant Hill Rd, Carbondale: Marberry Arboretum is an unpaved, 2/3 mile trail of moderate difficulty. The trail goes up and downhill and winds past a pond and a bamboo forest.
Evergreen Park, 1205 W. Pleasant Hill Rd, Carbondale: This is an easy, paved, 1/3 mile trail which begins and ends at Jaycee Field.
SIU Campus Lake, south side of SIUC campus, Carbondale: An accessible, 2-mile paved path along the scenic shores of the Campus Lake is one of two designated Start! walking paths at SIUC. The path is perfect for walking or running, even with companions (e.g., babies in strollers, leashed pets). Numerous exercise challenges, including a rope and a wall climb, are strategically located off the path for added opportunities.
St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, 2 South Hospital Dr, Murphysboro:
Riverside Park, 2610 W Riverside Park Rd, Murphysboro: Riverside Park offers a 1 mile paved Start! walking path that takes you around the entire park. You start and finish at the Recreation Center where it is easy to park your car. There are restrooms and benches at various places in the park. Come and join the many people who have already discovered this walking path and enjoy the outdoors, and don't forget to bring your pets (on a leash).
Indoor Tracks:
Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale, 250 N Springer, Carbondale: This is a short, easy indoor track in the gymnasium. One lap is 260 feet, and one mile is approximately 20 laps. The track is available during the summer Monday-Friday 8:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M. and during the fall Monday-Friday 9 A.M.-2:00 P.M.
SIU Student Center
Franklin-Williamson Counties
Outdoor Trails:
Herrin Hospital, 201 S 14th St, Herrin:
Herrin City Park, 1010 North 5th St, Herrin: Herrin City Park located just off of Herrin Road welcomes you to get fit on their asphalt paved, well lighted, Start! Walking Path. Walkers & runners can begin their journey at the park or the Herrin Bruce Sports Complex. There are benches for resting along the way and restrooms at the beginning of the path in the park. Leashed pets are welcome.
Bruce Park, located just one block east of Rt. 148 (behind city hall), Energy: The park, boasting covered pavilions, basketball courts, softball fields and plenty of children's playground equipment, is ringed by a paved and lighted 1/2 mile walking track. The track encircles the entire park and has a gentle slope on the northern end. Park hours are from sun-up to sun-down.
Cambria Park, Maple St, Cambria: This is an asphalted, ½ mile, well-lit path in the center of town. The path surrounds a playground and bathroom facilities are available. Parking lot accessible. No pets.
Miners Memorial Health Center, 2553 Ken Gray Boulevard, West Frankfort:
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