Residents of Park Ridge are being challenged to see the city block by block and step by step, all on foot, as part of the new Walk and Run Park Ridge community health program.
The city’s Community Health Commission program began in October, and it — no pun intended — runs through the end of the year. The idea is to encourage residents to see all 140 miles of paved roads in the city. Entrants can win weekly prizes from local stores, and anyone who completes the challenge gets bragging rights plus they are eligible to win “special prizes” according to the Walk and Run Park Ridge website.
In addition, there is merchandize, including a t-shirt with a map of all Park Ridge streets participants can color in as they go.
Park Ridge Alderperson Lauren Rapisand introduced the challenge at the Oct. 5 City Hall meeting, and she mentioned the Park Ridge inspiration was a man who recently finished running all of Chicago.
“It’s a nice way to get out and explore the community,” Rapisand said, during the city meeting.
But the trend is bigger than Chicago. In 2022, the UK-based newspaper The Guardian reported on people walking every street in Glasgow and in other parts of the world and noted the trend really kicked off during the pandemic.
In fact, there’s even an app for it: CityStrides. While Park Ridge residents aren’t required to buy anything or register for anything, the Health Commission is suggesting people spend $15 and register with CityStrides in order to track progress.
Rapisand said residents can fill out the registration form online and begin walking either alone, with a dog or with friends and family. But, even if they don’t fill out anything, they can still participate.
“The idea is to just get moving,” she said.
The first challenge will wrap up on Dec. 31, but Rapisand said the city might bring it back in the warmer months. But only if it’s popular now.
“So, people need to get hustling,” Mayor Marty Maloney said.
“Yes, they need to get hustling while the weather is still lovely,” she said.
The entry is $15, and that covers three months of supporter-level access to CityStrides. However, Health Commission organizers point out if that’s a barrier to entry, the fee can be waived if registrants reach out on the registration form.
The registration and more information and T-shirts can be found at www.parkridge.us/community_health_commission/we_run__walk_park_ridge.php.
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Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.