Walking in Nature Series starts April 16
The Lake County Forest Preserves, the Lake County Health Department, NorthShore University Health System and other partners have organized "Rx for Health - Walking in Nature," a program that brings together naturalists and health providers for guided tours of Lake County's forest preserves.
For 2016, the group has scheduled eight walks, which are free. They will take place, rain or shine on specific Saturdays from 4-5 p.m., as follows:
• April 16: Hastings Lake, Lake Villa
• May 21: Ryerson Woods (meet at Welcome Center), Riverwoods
• June 18: Rollins Savanna (Washington Street entrance), Grayslake
• July 16, Middlefork Savanna, Lake Forest
• Aug. 13, Lyons Woods, Waukegan
• Sept. 10, Fort Sheridan, Lake Forest
• Sept. 24, Pine Dunes, Antioch
• Oct. 15, Captain Daniel Wright Woods, Mettawa
The walks are an opportunity to speak with a NorthShore physician about the health benefits of exercise and outdoor activities, and become more engaged with the outdoor environment by learning from a Forest Preserve naturalist.
Launched in 2014, the program aligns with the Health Department's Live Well Lake County initiative to increase physical activity, healthy eating and quality of life opportunities in order to reduce the number of adults and children in the county who are overweight or obese. The initiative is also part of a countywide collaborative branding effort called Lake County Life.
The walks are open to all ages. Those 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. All walks start at 4 p.m. and range in length from 1 to 2 miles. These are rain or shine events and no pets are allowed (with the exception of service animals).
Learn more at www.LCFPD.org/rx-for-health.