A Run/Walk to Build an Outdoor Trail
Saturday, April 30, 2016
As many as 30 people a day use the Upland Hills Health (UHH) corridor to get in their daily walk. “Over the past few years’ interest in creating an accessible, outdoor walking path has increased,” says Julia Oellerich, Director of the Upland Hills Health Foundation. “To answer the call, the Foundation is leading an effort to raise money to build it.”
On April 30th a Community Run/Walk was held at Harris Park in Dodgeville at 9 am and over 130 people turned out despite the chilly, windy and damp weather that Mother Nature provided that day, and over $3,300 was raised to go toward building the outdoor walking trail.
The 2016 Community Run/Walk was sponsored by Cobblestone Court businesses: Our Front Porch, Cobblestone Coffee House, Duke’s Brew Pub & Ale House; Cummins Emissions Solutions, Lands’ End, Hallada Auto Group, Potterton Rule Inc. Real Estate & Insurance, Gorgen Funeral Services, LLC, Piggly Wiggly and Kwik Trip.
Physical activity is important to overall health. The UHH corridor provides a place to walk on level ground, in a safe, warm environment throughout the winter, but many ‘fitness walkers’ have voiced an interest in an outdoor walking trail. This will allow people to continue their walking regimen out in the beautiful sunshine once spring arrives. Families with residents at the UHH Nursing and Rehabilitation Center have also expressed a desire for an outdoor path to enjoy when visiting, and other groups have suggested gardens and memorials. All could be served by creating an outdoor walking trail.
To date, the UHH Foundation and UHH Wellness Committee members have worked with a group of civil and environmental engineering students from the PACCE program through UW-Platteville to develop a plan for the proposed trail site. A schematic drawing of the trail has been created, costs have been estimated and fundraising has begun. To help build the trail by making a monetary gift call, Julia Oellerich, Foundation Director, 608.930.7169
