City of Kingsport celebrates National Walking Day

Time to lace up your sneakers, grab a water bottle and hit the pavement for an evening walk on the Kingsport Greenbelt.

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Walking Day event on April 2 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in conjunction with National Walking Day. The event will take place at the Indian Trail Drive Trailhead of the Kingsport Greenbelt (behind PetSmart).

The event is free and open to people of all ages.

National Walking Day was established by the American Heart Association (AHA) more than a decade ago as part of its effort to encourage healthier living and to help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Over the years, National Walking Day has grown into a nationwide event with schools, corporations, and communities participating in walks, health fairs, and educational sessions about the benefits of regular physical activity.

Walking on a regular basis can improve you physical and mental health, bring you closer to friends and family, reduce stress and help you connect with nature.

“Join us for National Walking Day as we step into wellness together,” said Program Leader Milly Marmalade. “Walking is a simple yet powerful way to improve your physical and mental well-being. What better way to celebrate than with a community walk.”

Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be attending.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4ieq8mH. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “CivicRec,” then search for “walking” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.