Minot Area Team Wellness has planned Walk Minot, a series of community walks, this summer. The events will be kicked off by the 2nd annual Doc Walk on May 5 in Oak Park at 7 p.m. The walks will be scheduled every Thursday evening afterwards, beginning at 7 p.m., in various community locations and will be led by community leaders.
"We want to be able to highlight the variety of places people can walk in Minot. We'll have some walks on trails, and some through neighborhoods," said Lori Scharmer, Extension Agent for NDSU Extension Service and member of Team Wellness.
"We think people will use the trails even more if they get out there and see them. The walks are free, there's no registration necessary, and you can walk at your own pace," she added.
Article Photos
Katina Tengesdal/MDN
Team Wellness members and family walk together on a trail near the Optimist Soccer Complex. Back left to right: Trinity Nehring, Jodie Nehring, Caleb Nehring, Diane Thorne, Trish Jessen. Front: Iris Jessen, Jennifer Nehring, Evelyn Jessen.
The walks will take place in a variety of places including the Souris Valley Golf Course, the Minot downtown area, Roosevelt Park and Zoo, and the Scandinavian Heritage Park. Community leaders leading the walks include Mayor Curt Zimbelman; Jack Nybakken, Ward County Commissioner; John Kutch, Trinity Health CEO; Bonnie Kemper, Downtown Association; and David Looysen, Minot Public Schools.
Team Wellness hopes to highlight an easily accessible method of fitness through the walks.
"Walking is the easiest and least expensive method of being physically active, and it's good for people of all ages. We hope to get people out and enjoying the outdoors," said Diane Thorne, public health nutritionist for First District Health Unit and member of Team Wellness.
For a complete schedule of walks, people can visit Walk Minot's page on Facebook or contact 857-6444 for more information. Schedules will also be handed out at the Doc Walk on May 5.
In addition to Walk Minot, Team Wellness has complied a walking trail map along with Minot Park District. The maps have listed the locations of trails and their distances, parks and points of interest, as well as the locations of proposed walking trails.