Columbia, MD – The Howard County Health Department is participating in the Maryland Walktober celebration by encouraging Howard County to “Walk, Roll, Ride and Move!” The Health Department’s Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC) has partnered with local government and community organizations to create a calendar of accessible Walktober events and virtual webinars planned throughout October. The Howard County Walktober 2021 website can be found by visiting howardcountymd.gov/walktober21.
“Walking is Maryland’s official state exercise and a terrific way for people of all ages and abilities to get moving and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle” said Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer and LHIC co-chair. “The LHIC has teamed up with County agencies and other community groups to provide engaging opportunities for everyone in our community to get up and get moving this October and all year long.”
The Howard County Walktober website contains a list of ongoing walking/moving events, sorted by week, a series of printable, one-mile walking/moving maps of Howard County parks for individuals use on their own, and registration information for the planned walking/moving webinars. The topics for the four webinars are:
- Tuesday, October 5, 11:00am - Movement Matters: Walk, Roll, Ride, MOVE!
- Wednesday, October 13, 11:00am - Aging Actively: Move Your Way to Better Health
- Tuesday, October 19, 11:00am - Staying Active with a Disability: Adapt the Fun for Everyone
- Wednesday, October 27, 6:00pm - Pedestrian Safety for Children: Be Safe. Be Seen
The Howard County LHIC would like to thank the following County and community partners for their collaboration on this monthlong celebration: Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks, Howard County Department of Community Resources Office on Aging & Independence, Howard County Office of Transportation, Columbia Association, Howard County General Hospital, Maryland Department of Transportation, Howard County Library System, and other partners who have contributed events and helped spread the word.
Walktober is observed statewide and a complete list of activities planned during October can be found here. The Maryland Department of Transportation is holding a series of free Walkinars. Registration information can be found here.