Bicycling

Richmond California Builds a Trail for Health and Wellness—and Fun

Residents of Richmond, California, have a chance to weigh in on the design of a trail through their community that will connect local institutions and public spaces, provide health information, and showcase local artworks.

By Melanie Curry

10:32 AM PDT on August 10, 2016

Screen Shot 2016-08-10 at 9.36.04 AM — The proposed route of the Richmond Wellness Trail connects hospitals, museums, parks, and transit. Image from City of Richmond website (click on image for slightly larger version)

The Richmond Wellness Trail is, according to the city’s website,

a collaborative project to develop an interactive health-themed trail that showcases three dimensional murals and art installations with positive messaging designed to inspire visitors to make health and wellness-oriented lifestyle changes.

Based on a similar project in Little Rock, Arkansas, the trail is envisioned as a connection between Kaiser Hospital, Richmond’s Performing Arts Center, several schools, the marina and the Rosie the Riveter Historical Park that will encourage residents to engage in healthy ways with their community.

From the website:

Being outside in a park offers benefits such as reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression; it can help reduce blood pressure in some people with hypertension, helps maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, and provides an opportunity for socialization. The Richmond Wellness Trail would be an accessible, free health resource for a community with some of the highest needs and is scalable to other communities around the United States and the world.

Open-house style design workshops are being held this week, including today from 11 a.m. to noon and 5 to 6 p.m., and tomorrow from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

All the workshops are being held at the Rich City Rides Bike Shop, which just happens to also be celebrating its official grand opening as the Rich City Rides Bike and Skate Shop today. That party will start at 2 p.m. with a review of the Richmond Wellness Trail, a 3 p.m. ride along the proposed route, music, food trucks, and an outdoor movie. For details see here.

On Saturday, August 13, a bike ride will preview the planned route of the Richmond Wellness Trail starting at 9 a.m. at the Richmond BART station. See the city’s website here for more details.

Melanie Curry

Bicycling

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