The American Heart Association has declared today National Walking Day. With all the glories of nature on display and the multitude health benefits that come with daily exercise, it’s not like we need another reason to take a stroll.
Throughout the month of April, Mother Nature will be doing everything within her power to lure us outdoors.
Last night, a lovely evening with warm air and clear skies, we caught our first whiff of wisteria on the Island side of the restored Tombigbee River Bridge. The redbud has been beautiful but the dogwood now is elbowing its way onto the stage. Did we mention wisteria? Soon our trees will be swathed in its lilac fragrance.
What better time to develop the walking habit. According to the AHA, people stick to walking plans more than any other form of physical activity and walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke — the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers.
Adults need 150 minutes of physical activity a week; kids need 60 minutes a day, says the AHA.
Columbus is blessed with an abundance of places to walk. In addition to the river bridge, there is the Riverwalk with its recently completed connector to the soccer park in Burns Bottom. Propst Park and Lake Lowndes offer a choice of walking routes.
West Point has the lovely 3.75 mile Kitty Bryan Dill trail wending through the heart of town.
Starkville, too, has a plenty of walking paths — the Garrard Road addition with its wide, shady sidewalks, the Cochran Research Park with its lakes and quiet streets and, on the other side of the highway, the lake near the Sanderson Center.
The Noxubee Wildlife Refuge’s Bluff Lake requires a drive, but the scenery there is incomparable. The Refuge is one of the northernmost places in Mississippi to see alligators. During the spring, the music of migratory songbirds is punctuated by the bellowing of alligators in search of a mate. According to the Refuge’s website, spring and fall are the best times to catch sight of these giant reptiles sunning themselves on the banks, logs or swimming across the lakes.
Do we need to say more? Now, lace up your sneakers, round up the family and get out there in the springtime air.
It’s fun, it’s free and it’s great exercise.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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