©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local groups promote health with Avenue stroll
by JENNIFER KATZ

The Garden District planted flowers along the Avenue on Tuesday, and is co-sponsoring three walks along Germantown Avenue.

Whether perusing the shops, sampling the bakeries’ goods, ogling the window displays, strolling with friends, pushing a stroller or just walking the dog, any Hiller or visitor knows, walking the Avenue is a rite and ritual of Northwest Philadelphia.

For three consecutive Wednesday mornings, May 24, 31 and June 7, the Chestnut Hill Garden District Fund, the Chestnut Hill Senior Center and the Chestnut Hill Health Care Foundation are sponsoring a new public health initiative “Walk A Healthy Mile” for seniors, parents, dog owners or whomever to walk the Avenue together. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, 8708 Germantown Avenue (between Rex and Chestnut Hill Avenue), walkers will be treated to coffee and a light snack before heading down the hill for a mile-long walk.

The senior center and the garden district fund came up with the idea for the walks at the behest of the foundation, said CHHCF President Sue Hansen. “The foundation was formed to improve the health of the community,” Hansen said. “In that vein we really wanted these groups to do more physical activity.”

The foundation has provided both groups grants for their programs. The senior center offers classes and activities for residents over 55. The garden district fund plants the flower baskets that adorn the Avenue’s street lamps, maintains the many public gardens along the Avenue and many other beautification efforts throughout the year.

The two organizations wanted to find a project for the community that they could collaborate on, said Emily Daeschler, president of the CHGDF, and that met the foundation’s requirements.

“The ‘walk a healthy mile’ program dovetailed nicely with our mission,” explained Hansen of the groups’ grant proposals. A recent study from the heart and vascular institute at the Abilene Regional Medical Center in Texas showed that the benefits of walking include a reduced risk of heart disease, the alleviation of depression, increased muscular strength, the alleviation of lower back pain, improved coronary circulation, reduced risk of hypertension, increase in good cholesterol and weight loss, said Hansen.

In an effort to create a more enticing program, the Chestnut Hill Business Association contacted several of the Avenue’s merchants and asked them to support the program with small giveaways for the walkers, said Daeschler. At the beginning of the walk, participants will receive a specially designed gift bag. As the walk progresses, stores such as the Chestnut Hill Print Shop, O’Doodles and Bon Apetit will give out small trinkets for the adults, children and dogs along the walk.

The walk will end at the bottom of the hill with oatmeal cookies and water at the Night Kitchen Bakery. Tokens will be available for those wishing to take the bus back up the Hill. There is at least one rain date scheduled if necessary on June 14.