Residents join in on walking trail’s first laps
Published 12:08 am Thursday, June 21, 2012
Ward 4 Councilwoman Angela Benjamin cuts the ribbon for the new walking trail and gazebo. She said the new trail, funded by a grant from the Strategic Health Alliance, will encourage Selma to get active and get moving. -- Ashley Johnson
As Justin Bieber’s song “Baby” rang through the air, Ward 4 citizens walked around the track. Citizens with walkers and little children with lollipops all sported pedometers to track their steps as they walked around the brand new Ward 4 track at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The ceremony included a welcome by councilwoman Angela Benjamin, who put the new walking trail and gazebo into motion by applying for grants from the Strategic Health Alliance with the help of Mayor George Evans.
Evans said he was happy to see the project finished and what it means for the city in the future.
“This will be great for so many community members to walk the neighborhood,” Evans said. “This is really another piece of the puzzle …the leadership [Benjamin] has offered here in Ward 4 to make this happen… I’m happy to have been a part of this.”
Benjamin asked several of the ministers from the ward to say a blessing on the new track and the fitness of the people in the ward. Each minister prayed as the attendants of the ribbon cutting gathered and held hands. The ministers prayed blessings over the improving fitness and health of the Ward 4 citizens that their bodies would become temples for the Holy Spirit to dwell in.
To go along with the health theme, blueberries and bananas as well as water were handed out to those who came to walk. Benjamin, who spearheaded the project said the reception of the walking trail in the community has been very positive.
“People would walk and drive by and honk their horns and yell ‘thank you councilwoman we needed that!’” Benjamin said about the trail during its construction.
“Everyday I have people that Facebook me and inbox me and say that they are going to be on the track everyday and someone told me she and her husband will be on the love bird swing under the gazebo nightly,” Benjamin said.
Citizens of Ward 4 were already walking and counting their steps with their free pedometers as the ceremony ended. About eight laps around the track will equal out to a mile.
Tina Armstrong, who has lived in Ward 4 for the last 31 years, said she is ready to use the track for her fitness routine.
“I am going to be out here morning and night time,” Armstrong said. “This is good for your heart and legs… last year I used to walk twice a day and I stopped but now I’m going to start again.”
