Organized by Bryan Avenue resident Stacy Fizell, the group sets off Monday to Thursday at 7 p.m. with folks walking between one and three miles. It meets at the entrance of Tri-Cities High School at Harris & Jefferson.
Here's what Stacy wrote to The Jefferson Park Hub:
- Why did you start this? What was your goal?
I started the group in order get some exercise and get in shape. Several of us had been talking about doing something for awhile and I figured starting out at the beginning of the year we be a good way to start the New Year.
- How far do you walk and how much time does it take?
We have one group that walks approximately 3 miles at a pretty good clip around the perimeter of the neighborhood and another group that is starting out with a mile that is a route down Winburn Dr. from the High School and back up Jefferson to the starting point.
- If a person cannot make all the walks, is that alright?
The group is open to all whenever they can make it. I set up a page on Facebook and post each walk as an Event so people can accept or decline the walks. This makes it easy to keep up with who and how many we should expect. No one wants to walk alone after dark so we want to make sure there will always be someone there to walk with. If anyone has any questions they can e-mail me at: stacyfizell@comcast.net or call me at (404)408-8535
- If a person isn't in the best shape, is that OK?
Yes! We have actually had several different paced groups that do the full 3 miles: one group that walks pretty fast, and another that follows closely behind.
We also have one group that is starting out with a mile for now and working themselves up to the 3 miles.
- How many people have been showing up?
We have had anywhere from 3 to 8 people. It's a good group that talks and cuts up most of the walk which makes it go by really fast.
- How long have you lived in the neighborhood? What street do you live on?
I have lived in the neighborhood 7.5 years and live on Bryan Ave. People that don't know me personally may know us as the Halloween House on Bryan......we have gone all out decorating and dressing up for Halloween for the past 5 or 6 years. This year several other neighbors joined in....we got 300 kids!
PS: we have had several ask if dogs are welcome and the answer is yes! But remember this is a fitness group so if your dog is slow and meandering like my Beagle you may want to leave him or her at home.
An East Point Fitness Initiative is being kickstarted by the city's Park and Rec Department. You can try out a class of Cardio Blast, karate and F.I.T.T free. Also, see all the other recreation programs here.
The department is hosting an open house:
- Wed., Jan. 27, from noon to 2 p.m.
- Sat., Jan. 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Call 404.270.7054 for information.
The renovation of Brookdale Park here in the neighborhood continues. Work on replacing the tennis and basketball courts could begin in a month's time. Ward B City Councilman Lance Rhodes said the council awarded the contract at this week's meeting. And swings should be installed by the weekend.
