Looking for local health related events and news? Visit the new Healthy Washington County website at https://healthywashingtoncounty.com

Healthy Washington County is Washington County’s local health improvement coalition which is made up of local community organizations such as the health department, Meritus Health, Brook Lane, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Hagerstown YMCA, University of Maryland Extension, and many others. Every 3 years, the coalition creates the Community Health Needs Assessment. You can read the 2019 assessment on the new website. In addition, the new Healthy Washington County website has resources on a variety of topics including nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation, mental health, substance abuse, and chronic diseases.

Walk Maryland Day is Wednesday, October 2^nd, 2019; coinciding with National Walk to School Day. The purpose of Walk Maryland Day is to celebrate Maryland’s state exercise – walking – by getting outside and taking a walk! Walk to school, walk to work, or take a walk on one of the many trails in Washington County! The Washington County Health Department and the City of Hagerstown are hosting a 30-minute lunchtime walk at noon on October 2^nd at the Hagerstown Cultural Trail. All participants will receive a miniature Maryland flag and the first 50 participants will receive a free salad from Bella’s Bites! Stop by to grab some lunch and take a walk! The Manning Media street team will be giving out free water and VFF Produce, the Mobile Farmers Market, will be there selling fresh, local produce. Everyone who joins the walk will receive a $1 coupon for the Mobile Farmers Market. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information about this event.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, physical activity is one of the most important things people can do for their health. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get 150 minutes a week and children get 60 minutes a day of aerobic physical activity. Even if you don’t meet the recommended amount of physical activity, being somewhat active is better than being inactive. If you’re looking to start being more active, try walking! Walking is one of the most popular forms of aerobic physical activity because it’s free, easy, and anyone can do it! Find all the great places to walk in Washington County on Washington County Pathfinder by visiting washcopathfinder.com.

Event Details

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Enter the Washington County Pathfinder Facebook Photo Contest!

The contest runs through August 31, 2019. A randomly selected participant will win a Fitbit Versa!

How to enter:

1. Take a picture of yourself walking, biking, or boating at one of the trails on Washington County Pathfinder at https://washcopathfinder.com
2. Like the Washington County Pathfinder Facebook page.
3. Send your picture through Facebook Messenger to the Washington County Pathfinder page and include the name of the trail and/or park where the picture was taken.
4. You may submit multiple entries, one for each different trail you take a picture at. For trails that are located in parks, you may submit one entry per park.

Encourage your friends to like your photo to vote for it! The most-liked photo will win a free entry into HEAL’s Color Splash 5k fun run on September 28th!

To vote for a photo, you must like the Washington County Pathfinder Facebook page and like your favorite photo entry. View the current entries.

Other Rules:

1. A person can only win one of the two prizes.
2. You do not have to live in Washington County to enter, but you must be able to come to the Washington County Health Department to pick up your prize if you win.

By Charissa Hipp

With the number of five national parks and eight state parks in Washington County, there are countless hiking opportunities to enjoy the area’s beautiful landscapes and connect with nature. Trail options exist for every age and ability, from flat paved surfaces to steep inclines and even a boulder field. So what are you waiting for? Grab some comfortable shoes, a trail map, water, snacks, and head outside for a hike!

If you’re new to hiking or consider yourself a beginner in search of easy terrain, both the C&O Canal towpath and Antietam National Battlefield offer easy trails. The towpath is 184.5 miles in length, stretching from Georgetown to Cumberland, with more than 78 miles in Washington County. It is predominantly flat with very gradual changes in elevation and provides an array of changing landscapes and opportunities for exploration.

Antietam National Battlefield – Three Farms Trail

Most think of history when they think of Antietam Battlefield, but there are ten hiking trails and miles of paved park roads suitable for hiking. The trails range from a quarter of a mile to 1.8 miles in length, consist of varying terrain, and can be connected to create longer hikes. Wayside markers are located throughout the battlefield, explaining the historical significance of each area, and more extensive trail guides are available for purchase at the bookstore in the Visitor Center.

Adjacent to the canal, just past milepost 112, Fort Frederick State Park has two easy hiking trails perfect for enjoying flora and fauna. Near Fort Frederick is the southern terminus of the Western Maryland Rail Trail in Big Pool. It offers 26 miles of paved trail, also suitable for hiking, with beautiful views along the way. Phase IV. of the rail trail was just completed in March of 2019, extending it all the way to Little Orleans, Maryland.

Appalachian Trail – Weverton

If you’re interested in more moderate to difficult hikes, most of the 40-plus miles of Appalachian Trail that pass through Maryland are within Washington County. This includes many scenic overlooks such as Weverton Cliffs, White Rock, Washington Monument State Park, Annapolis Rock, Black Rock Cliffs, High Rock, and Pen Mar. You can plan a hike that lasts a few hours or a few days. The trail is rocky in sections and includes several challenging climbs that will surely get your heart pumping. When looking at the Appalachian Trail in its entirety, the Maryland section is considered easy, but when comparing it to other hikes in the region, some of the terrain is definitely moderate to difficult.

Appalachian Trail – Annapolis Rock

Greenbrier State Park, part of South Mountain Recreation Area, is a multi-use recreation area with its own system of trails. The park has almost 11 miles of trails and part of the Appalachian Trail passes through the park. Several of the trails at Greenbrier are easy, like the Green Trail near the visitor center, while others, like the Big Red Trail, are much more challenging.

The Maryland Heights Trail is one of the most popular trails at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and. As the name implies, it is actually located in Maryland but offers beautiful views of the historic town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers; and the C&O Canal towpath. The trail varies in length from approximately 4.5 to 6.5 miles, depending upon your starting point and often on parking availability. It’s a heavily trafficked trail with steep and rocky sections that intersect with the challenging Stone Fort Trail, showing the position of Civil War artillery batteries.

Weverton Cliffs

Hiking is a wonderful way to explore and appreciate the beautiful scenic landscapes in Washington County, plus connecting with nature has been scientifically proven to benefit your physical and mental health. Be sure to know your route before you begin (cell phone coverage is not always reliable) and follow trail blazes carefully to stay on course. Always have plenty of water and trail snacks. Be prepared for hiking conditions, temperature and terrain, and practice Leave No Trace principles when on the trail. Protect yourself against ticks and be aware of potential wildlife encounters with black bears, timber rattlesnakes, and copperheads. Most of all, enjoy exploring Washington County!

Enter the Washington County Pathfinder Facebook Photo Contest!

The contest runs June 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019. A randomly selected participant will win a Fitbit Versa!

How to enter:

1. Take a picture of yourself walking, biking, or boating at one of the trails on Washington County Pathfinder at https://washcopathfinder.com
2. Like the Washington County Pathfinder Facebook page.
3. Send your picture through Facebook Messenger to the Washington County Pathfinder page and include the name of the trail and/or park where the picture was taken.
4. You may submit multiple entries, one for each different trail you take a picture at. For trails that are located in parks, you may submit one entry per park.

Encourage your friends to like your photo to vote for it! The most-liked photo will win a free entry into HEAL’s Color Splash 5k fun run on September 28th!

To vote for a photo, you must like the Washington County Pathfinder Facebook page and like your favorite photo entry.

Other Rules:

1. A person can only win one of the two prizes.
2. You do not have to live in Washington County to enter, but you must be able to come to the Washington County Health Department to pick up your prize if you win.

Walking is great exercise and a healthy way to get around, but make sure you stay safe while walking near traffic! Here are some tips from the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Look Up. Look Out. campaign. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s (MDOT SHA) pedestrian safety campaign includes both drivers and pedestrians, because pedestrian safety is a two-way street. Pedestrian safety is an issue that affects the entire community; young and senior, drivers and walkers, in the day and at night.  On average, more than 100 pedestrians are killed each year in Maryland. Most of the incidents are preventable. The Look Up, Look Out campaign reminds drivers and pedestrian to stay alert, and follow the rules of the road and traffic laws. Pedestrian safety is always important, but everyone should be extra vigilant in the fall and winter seasons, especially in the morning and at dusk. With the time change, the days are shorter and visibility is lower when the sun sets. Pedestrians should wear light and reflective clothing when traveling after dark and drivers should remain alert, attentive and prepared to stop for pedestrians.

MDOT SHA offers the following tips that are best practice year round:

For pedestrians:

For drivers:

Check out this pedestrian safety tip card.

Follow the tips in this interactive infographic to avoid being hit by a car while walking.

There are lots of places to walk in Hagerstown. Check out this map for a few downtown routes and all the points of interest you can walk to in the city. Some of the most appealing points of interest are the public art pieces throughout the city. There are many pieces of public art along the Hagerstown Cultural Trail. Here’s a few highlights of public art around the city. Take a walk and visit them in person!

Biking Through History

This mural on the University Parking Deck on N Potomac Street was painted by Barbara Ingram School for the Arts students.

The Fishing Lesson

This sculpture can be found at City Park and is accompanied by a children’s book of the same name by Amanda Hart Miller.

The Welcome Tree

Painted by volunteers, this mural on the Memorial Blvd underpass shows a cheerful message to the children who walk past it on their way to school.

Rivulet

One of the newer additions to the Cultural Trail, this interactive sculpture features two seats.

Butterfly and Hot Air Balloon Sculptures

These sculptures were painted by students from Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and can be found in various locations around the city.

This Little Light of Mine

This Maryland-themed mural can be found at University Plaza downtown.

Picture from artist Eric B Ricks’ Twitter

View to Wesel

This mural at 45 W Franklin Street shows a view to Hagerstown’s sister city since 1952: Wesel, Germany.

Building Blocks aka Mural of Unusual Size

No mention of public art in Hagerstown could leave out this unusually large, colorful mural along the Cultural Trail.

These are just some of the many public art pieces in Hagerstown. Walking, being outdoors, and viewing art can all boost your well-being. With spring here, now is a great time to get outside and view the art in Hagerstown in person!

May is National Bike Month! Check the events calendar and visit bikehagerstown.org to view all the bicycle events happening this month. May 8 is Bike to School Day! Bike to Work Week is May 13-19 and Bike to Work Day is May 17.

Why is cycling such a great physical activity? It’s aerobic exercise that also builds muscle, it’s easier on your joints than other activities like walking or running, and it’s a lot of fun! There are many trails you can cycle on in Washington County, including the 10-mile Hub City Bike Loop in Hagerstown!

Being active is an important part of staying healthy and feeling good. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, physical activity can reduce your risk of several chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer, improve your sleep, increase your energy and self-esteem, decrease depression, relieve stress, and help you live longer. Those are just some of the benefits of regular physical activity! Even if you don’t meet the physical activity guidelines recommendation of 150 minutes a week of activity, a little bit of activity has benefits over doing nothing! Check out this article from the American Heart Association about why physical activity is so important for your health and well-being.

Take the Washington County Walking and Walkability Survey at tinyurl.com/WashCoWalkingSurvey

The survey is intended to be taken by adults who live in Washington County, Maryland. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and responses are anonymous.

An important strategy in the Washington County Walking and Walkability Plan is to assess the current state of walking and walkability in Washington County. Along with conducting various walk audits throughout the county, this survey will help us collect the information we need to assess the current state of walking and walkability in the county.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and help us achieve our vision of walking toward a healthier Washington County.