How to start a walking group in your neighbourhood

Richmond walkers launched three new neighbourhood groups last month, each starting with eight to twelve participants who meet twice weekly along established paths.

Interest has grown because many residents want structured exercise without gym fees or long commutes, especially after the city expanded trail lighting and added benches at several entry points in 2025.

Selecting a route and schedule

Groups in Church Hill begin at the corner of 25th and Broad Street before heading toward Chimborazo Park, while participants in The Fan often start at Monroe Park and loop south along the sidewalks to Byrd Park. The Richmond Parks and Recreation Department lists both locations on its community bulletin board and supplies free printed maps that show distances of two to four miles.

One local program tracked 184 walkers across twelve groups between January and June 2025 and recorded an average attendance of 78 percent when meetings stayed at the same time and day each week.

Getting the first members and keeping it going

Organizers post notices at the public library branch on West Broad Street and at the community notice board inside the Main Street Station food hall. A simple sign-up sheet with a suggested $5 contribution for printed name tags covers basic costs for the first three months.

New groups register with the city’s wellness coordinator by email to receive a starter kit that includes reflective vests and a laminated contact list. After the initial month, most groups shift to a rotating leader system so no single person handles all planning.

Residents who want to begin a group this summer can pick a weekday morning or weekend slot, print ten flyers, and meet at one of the two parks already used by existing walkers to test turnout before committing to a longer calendar.