The Park District of Highland Park is introducing Go Highland Park, a new community movement designed to increase community health through activity, education and collaboration. 

“We want to create a culture in our community that promotes physical movement. GO Highland Park is designed to encourage everyone to make a commitment to themselves and get moving for 30 minutes each day,” explains Kathy Donahue, Interim Executive Director for the Park District of Highland Park. 

This movement is in response to the former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy’s call to action challenging Parks and Recreation agencies to focus on the health benefits for people of all ages and stages of life to walk at least 30 minutes each day.

The GO Highland Park initiative is simple:  everyone makes a commitment to take a walk or other similar exercise every day this summer in their own neighborhood or at a park of their choice.

To get Go Highland Park off to a good start the Park District is planning a kickoff Community Walk event on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 9:30 – 10:30am at the Community Park at the Recreation Center of Highland Park located at 1207 Park Ave. West. 

• Walkers will meet at the south entrance of the park and walk together. 
• The Recreation Center of Highland Park is hosting five exercise stations along the walk that will be fun for all ages.  This free walking initiative offers an opportunity to encourage everyone in our community to take part in improving our health and wellness. 
• Participants will also have a chance to win a free three-month membership to the Recreation Center of Highland Park. 
• Working Bikes – donate your adult bikes in repairable condition and gently used kids bikes as well as bike accessories.   Working Bikes is a 20 year-old nonprofit that gives away 8,000 bikes a year locally and internationally.  
• Go Highland Park t-shirts will be handed out to the first 100 walkers along with other fun give-aways. 

There are many benefits to walking 30 minutes every day.  Walking can help to prevent and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, premature death and supports positive mental health.   For more information on this important initiative and how you can get involved click here: Go Highland Park.