The group, founded by two local women, is out and about on local streets four times a week

20230411georgetownwalkinggroup — Grace Fowler and Jessica Tate head out for one of their walks in Georgetown.

When Grace Fowler posted a message on a social media community page this winter looking for a walking buddy, she didn’t know what to expect.

Jessica Tate responded to the message and took it one step further, creating the Georgetown, ON Walking Group.

“I’d been thinking about starting something like this for a while when I read Grace’s message,” said the 25-year-old who moved back home from the west coast about two years ago.

“After being away at school for so long, I was looking for a way to make new connections; to meet people in the community of various ages and backgrounds.”

“Walking is so good for you - to get the sun in your eyes and get moving. It’s such good exercise,” added Tate, a health research coordinator at a Toronto hospital.

On a recent Saturday morning, Tate and Fowler, a vibrant senior citizen, met at 9 a.m. and walked from Cedarvale Park to the Gellert Community Centre and back again in an hour and a half. That’s an 8.5-km walk and 10,900 steps.

An avid walker, Fowler is happy to have made this connection with Tate and hopes to meet more walkers soon.

“It’s so important to stay physically active to maintain independence,” Fowler said. “There was one lady in her 60s who joined us who said she was worried we would be walking too slow, so I asked her if she wanted me to pick up the pace.”

The walking routes change according to participant needs and weather conditions.

“Because of the weather we have been sticking to the sidewalks, but as the weather gets better, we will walk the trails,” Fowler said. “We are hoping to get more people now that the weather is improving.”

Although the Facebook group has more than 100 members, not everyone shows up, which is totally OK, Tate said.

“I get that people are busy. I don’t want people to feel intimidated or pressured.”

The idea is that anyone who wants to walk is welcome; just show up at the pre-determined meeting spot. People of any age and gender and their dogs are invited, Tate said.

“There is also a social aspect to the walking group. My grandmother wants to come and walk down to the farmers’ market with us once it opens,” Tate said.

It’s a great way to make new friends, Fowler added.

Tate understands that people are busy and may not be able to walk four times a week, so there’s no pressure that way, but she does appreciate people messaging their commitment to attend in advance.

“We are the biggest advocates for walking. I’ve never met someone else so passionate about walking other than myself and Grace,” Tate said with a laugh.

There are four walks scheduled each week: Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. starting at Cedarvale Park, Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. starting at Gellert Community Centre, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. starting at Cedarvale Park and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. staring at Gellert Community Centre.

For more information, visit the Georgetown ON Walking Group Facebook page.

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New Georgetown Walking Group is for all ages and genders