EMPORIUM — Emporium Borough is one of three communities to gain acceptance into the WalkWorks program through the state Department of Health and University of Pittsburgh this year.
“The program is designed to promote healthy lifestyles and activities,” said Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tina Johns-Solak. “This is a great opportunity to get more notoriety and get more people to visit our community.”
The program “creates a network of fun, fact-filled, community-based walking routes and walking groups. WalkWorks identifies and promotes safe walking routes; offers social support through guided, community-based walking groups; helps schools develop walk-to-school programs; and addresses local policies to increase safe walking routes.”
There are nine counties in Pennsylvania currently involved with the program, including McKean County, where nearly every community has a trail developed through the WalkWorks program thanks to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s presence.
Johns-Solak said that a Cameron County resident learned of the program while visiting Allegheny County, and thought the program would fit well here. WalkWorks was not accepting new applicants at the time, but when administrators decided to accept three new communities, Emporium residents were encouraged to submit an application.
WalkWorks organizers were already impressed with walking efforts in Emporium, according to Johns-Solak. “We already have walking groups and a lot of people who already walk in town, and that was all very good.”
The program encourages school districts and municipalities in and around a WalkWorks community to incorporate healthy-living opportunities. The Cameron County School District already opens its hallways to walkers during the winter to provide a safe, comfortable place to exercise, and has an outdoor classroom and the Gary Dubler Nature Trail on the grounds.
Trails are located in other municipalities in state parks, state forests and municipal land, and the Emporium Borough’s section of the West Creek Rail Trail already provide healthful recreational opportunities for residents. Cameron County has a number of playgrounds, Barclay Park near Sinnemahoning and the Prospect Park playground, and small parks like the Mini-Park and Front Street in Emporium.
There will be no cost to Emporium Borough to participate, beyond manpower to install signage that will be developed and paid for through the WalkWorks program.
Print materials, including maps to hand out, and large stands with posters to advertise the trail at local tourism attractions to direct visitors to the trail, will also be provided through WalkWorks through its partnership with the University of Pittsburgh.
Johns-Solak stated that a number of local entities, including the Chamber, Emporium Borough, Sylvan Heritage Council and Cliff Clark of the county’s Economic Development office, are working to establish and test out the one- to two-mile loop through Emporium’s historic and business districts.
“We’re looking at using a section of the West Creek Rail Trail, with the trailhead planned for the rail trail parking area just off Chestnut Street behind the Aroma Café and the recreation center,” said Johns-Solak. The trail will wind past the old Sylvania Club (Northern Tier), past the school, the courthouse, church district, past the Victorian-era homes on East Fifth Street, and other attractions. Grants from other entities, including the Lumber Heritage Region, are being sought for interpretive signs.
“The interpretive signage wouldn’t be just for the visitors, though we hope they are drawn in by the trail once it’s completed. They would be designed to help inform anyone on what is here and the role churches and early businesses played in Cameron County history,” said Johns-Solak.
In the past, busloads of people were brought in on a couple occasions to walk a designated trail involved in a similar, previous program. The advantage to the new program is the advent of the internet. Emporium will be included as an available location on the Department of Health WalkWorks website, with an interactive map and trail information, including available parking, distances, red lights and highlights along the route.
Johns-Solak said WalkWorks organizers are seeing an uptick in groups organizing walks in other communities, and encouraging residents to travel and stay overnight to take advantage of trails and related activities. The other communities organize walking events and groups to draw attention to the trail at its opening and sometimes annually, and there are plans to take similar action in Emporium. A kick-off event is being tentatively planned for the end of May. More information will be released in the coming months.
Of the nine counties currently involved, only McKean County is in the northern tier; all other participants are located south of Interstate 80 and spread further apart. Having two participating counties so close to each other, but isolated from other areas to offer unique scenery and historical opportunities, may prove an additional draw to the area.
“The locals will benefit from this, as it will give one more designated walking route for people who walk for recreation or fitness, and maybe we can get some more attention and bring in some more people for tourism,” said Johns-Solak. “We have a lot to offer, and this is one more way to show it off.”
