A Place To Walk Together
- Roxy Brown
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
On a Saturday in June three years ago, a small group gathered at Connell Park in Scranton to join in a novel approach to community health: “Walk with a Doc.” After a short talk by family physician Darlene Dunay, the group headed to a nearby stand of woods to walk around the park and an old football field. Although Dr. Dunay talked to the group informally about keys to eating better, the main conversation that day was that no one knew these wooded paths were there! And it's so close to home!
Who knew that this group would meet 107 more times by the end of 2025?
This is how the Connell Park Walking Club got its start. A chapter of the national organization Walk With A Doc, sponsored by Valley In Motion, this walking club exists to connect residents of Scranton, especially in South Scranton, with medical professionals. Each Saturday at 10am from mid-March to mid-December residents, volunteer health professionals and members of Valley In Motion come together. We talk about important health topics, the condition of the Connell Park trails and anything else that drives a feeling of connection that day.
We’re starting up again this year on Saturday, March 21 at 10am. As Valley In Motion begins its fourth season organizing the Connell Park Walking Club, I thought I’d reflect on what this Walk With A Doc chapter means to the community.
Seeing my friends commit to making healthier decisions is one of the greatest parts of this walking group, as many have lost weight and have committed to improving their health through walking
One of the best surprises is the friendship and shared support of community events, like when we gathered food donations for the Community Intervention Center
And of course, what is a walking club without a place to walk? We are so grateful to have a park with paved and wooded trails that we can walk
in and experience the sights and sounds of nature
It may seem simple, but the idea of lowering the barrier to healthcare by bringing practitioners to people, not the other way around, has allowed many in this group to find confidence in talking to their own primary care team about their care plan. Add to that the incredible power the outdoors has on our physical and emotional health, and we have created a powerful environment to empower our neighbors.
I can’t wait to walk with my friends again and we hope to meet many more friends in the new year.
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