NEW YORK—You don’t always have to start a day with a cup of coffee. The New York City Parks Department is promoting the Walk NYC initiative, a free walking program to encourage New Yorkers of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and get fit. The opening ceremony for the program took place in Chelsea Park in Lower Manhattan on June 14.
The program, which runs through October, is led by experienced walking instructors in 30 parks across New York City. Funded by the Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, the goal of the Walk NYC initiative is to provide easy access to a beneficial exercise that nearly everyone can do.
Research has shown that active walking can help with weight loss, as well as lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Ana Ingersoll of Washington Heights told The Epoch Times that she wants the program “to help me with my walking.”
“I have diabetes. I hope it gets removed. I love to walk, but not walking in the mountains,” said Ingersoll.
In a speech at Chelsea Park, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Mark Wagar pointed out that walking helps one to stay fit and maintain good health. A member of the Ohio State University basketball team in the 1970s, he turned into an active walker to help manage his diabetes.
When asked if he still plays basketball, Wagar answered with a smile, “Not any more, that’s why I walk.”
“It is something every New Yorker can do, and it makes a difference on your health status and lowers the health cost,” Wagar said.
The program’s schedule may be obtained on the website of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, or by calling (212)360–3300.
The program, which runs through October, is led by experienced walking instructors in 30 parks across New York City. Funded by the Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, the goal of the Walk NYC initiative is to provide easy access to a beneficial exercise that nearly everyone can do.
Research has shown that active walking can help with weight loss, as well as lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Ana Ingersoll of Washington Heights told The Epoch Times that she wants the program “to help me with my walking.”
“I have diabetes. I hope it gets removed. I love to walk, but not walking in the mountains,” said Ingersoll.
In a speech at Chelsea Park, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Mark Wagar pointed out that walking helps one to stay fit and maintain good health. A member of the Ohio State University basketball team in the 1970s, he turned into an active walker to help manage his diabetes.
When asked if he still plays basketball, Wagar answered with a smile, “Not any more, that’s why I walk.”
“It is something every New Yorker can do, and it makes a difference on your health status and lowers the health cost,” Wagar said.
The program’s schedule may be obtained on the website of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, or by calling (212)360–3300.
