Luxton Walking Group Pounding the Pavement - May 27, 10 The Times article

Hello

I just wanted to advise that the Luxton Walking Group has change it's walk date and time to Tuesdays @ 6:30 p.m.   Thanks Sherryl (June 7/10)

Luxton walking group pounding the pavement

Walking endeavor bringing out the community

By: Rob Brown

27/05/2010 1:00 AM | 

Enlarge Image

The Luxton Walking Group convenes each Sunday afternoon in St. John’s Park. (ROB BROWN)

A north Winnipeg-based walking group is putting its best feet forward.

The Luxton Walking Group was laun­ched last year and already has about 50 registered members, according to group founder Sherryl Harris-Castillo. She expects that number to continue climbing as the group enters its second season of existence.

Harris-Castillo says she started the group as a way to encourage people to get outdoors, live healthier and bring the Luxton neighbourhood closer together.

"This really started with me knocking on a few doors and it grew from there," she recalls.

The group meets Sunday afternoons at St. John’s Park.  Harris-Castillo says the group’s mandate is as much about social interaction as it is physical activity.

"It is as much about connecting with the community and sharing concerns as it is about walking," she says.

Group members are asked to commit to at least one month of walking. While the group is open to both men and women, Harris-Castillo notes that attendance is the lower among male members.

"The group is really for everyone, regardless of age," she says. "From families with toddlers to pregnant moms, it is really for anyone interested in a little bit of fitness."

That’s a big part of why Melanie Duncan joined the group.

"I saw it as a way to take control of my health a little bit and connect with the community," she says, adding more and more people in the community are becoming aware of the group.

Duncan says another benefit to being part of the walking group is that it sets a good example for her daughter.

"In this age of computers and television, it is sometimes hard to get kids out of the house, so I saw it as something to take advantage of," she says.

Harris-Castillo says the group’s activities have allowed it to make connections with local residents associations as well as the North End Community Renewal Corporation.

"After a quick registration, participants are provided with a pedometer and out they go onto the paved paths of the park," she said, noting health related workshops are also in the works. 

The Luxton walking group meets each Sunday at the St. John’s Park at 3 p.m.

rob.brown@canstarnews.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALL SHERRYL TO SIGN UP

488-7354 REGISTER TODAY!