Once again, the days are growing longer and warmer. Spring is in full bloom. There is something special about the air this time of year. The faint smell of freshly blooming flowers and trees washes over you. The sounds of birds once again fill the skies.

It might be time to go outside and take a walk. A casual stroll on a warm spring day is a simple pleasure. Yet so enriching for the mind and soul. It is something we often take for granted. However, not everyone would agree.

Follansbee, WV native Lou Holtz is credited with saying, “Don’t run if you can walk. Don’t walk if you can stand. Don’t stand if you can sit. Don’t sit if you can lie down.”

While the sentiment is easily relatable, it is arguably not great medical advice.

For years, walking has been one of my go-to exercise options. Gardening and handyman-type work are the others. Still, I know I need to walk more often. I am sure Dr. Nelson would be happier with me if I did. Indoors or outdoors, walking is good for your overall health, wellness, and state of mind.

Walking is currently the most popular form of exercise in the United States. More than 70 percent of U.S. citizens identify walking as their primary method of staying fit. However, this is a relatively recent development. Recent, at least In terms of human history.

Recent studies have shown that what may be the earliest known human predecessor, Sahelanthropus tchadensis, appears to have walked upright much of the time. That was roughly seven million years ago. Walking has been a practical endeavor for much of our history. It has been a simple means of locomotion from point A to point B.

However, never content, man advanced from those early beginnings and found alternatives to walking. Faster and less taxing means of transportation were developed, such as horseback, chariots, carriages, trains, cars, airplanes, etc.

Hiking as a leisure activity emerged in Europe in the late 1700s. Before then, walking was done out of necessity and was often associated with poverty and homelessness. Therefore, most people sought to avoid it.

The idea of walking as an escape from the overcrowding and pollution of quickly industrializing cities of the time was adopted by wealthy Europeans, artists, and authors of the Romantic Movement. It was the birth of “taking a walk in the countryside.” It wasn’t long until the concept spread to America as well.

Walking as exercise and leisurely pastime gained prominence in late 1800s America partly from the endorsement of authors like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Their writings concerning the codependence of man and nature stemmed from their adventures and time spent exploring woods, water, and trails. They found walking restorative to both mind and body.

During this period and into the early 1900s, the development of outdoor clubs, local and national parks, and youth adventure clubs expanded across the country. As did the trails to allow them to venture into the fields and forests. All in response to the need and desire of those living in crowded cities to have the opportunity to experience and enjoy nature.

The growth of trails and trail systems continues today. They range from short local walking paths to massive interstate trails covering thousands of miles. The National Trail System alone has 1337 trails measuring more than 88,600 miles. Added to that is a vast collage of state, county, and municipal trails, making the number and distance of trails in the U.S. enormous.

Still, even with the massive amount of trails currently in place, we continue to add more each year. We have seen an emphasis placed on developing new trails at all levels of government. Bridgeport is no exception.

Two new trails have been added in Bridgeport within the last couple of years, along with renovations and upgrades to some of our existing trails. The Bridge Nature Trail /Cross Country Course was constructed in early 2022. In the fall of that same year, the Virginia Avenue Trail was opened, connecting downtown to the existing trail at Hinkle and Deegan Lakes.

These trails are outstanding additions to the Bridgeport Trail System. However, there are more to come. My vision is to link all parts of the city with a connected series of trails for our residents and visitors.

These are in no particular order of priority. One would be a trail connecting the Hinkle and Deegan Lakes trail to Briarwood. Next would be a trail to link our in-town neighborhoods to the Bridge Complex trails. A third trail would connect the Bridge to Charles Pointe’s residential section. And finally, a trail from Charles Pointe to UHC crossing I-79.

That last one is a big dream, but it can be accomplished. Pedestrian sidewalks and bike lanes on or alongside bridges are not uncommon. The price tag for this project may be a little steeper than most trails, but the accessibility gained would be well worth it, in my opinion.

As the former Bridgeport High School Cross Country coach, I could only dream of having a connected trail system like this available for our athletes. The distances you can travel and the athlete safety this affords would have been a godsend and saved me a great deal of stress. These same advantages would be available for everyone who utilizes our trails for fitness or leisure.

Why such an emphasis on trails? Among the most cited measures of “Quality of Life” for a community, from individuals, families, and businesses, is the quality of outdoor recreation. With 70 percent of Americans stating that walking is their primary source of exercise, trails are an essential service the government should provide as part of their

outdoor recreation facilities.

Additionally, trail systems can provide real economic benefits to a community. They can attract visitors who often stay to dine and shop at local businesses. Trails encourage healthier lifestyles, creating a more vibrant and energetic community. Finally, trails have been shown to increase property values for the homeowners in their

vicinity.

Why Bridgeport? Improved public safety, increased incentives for new residents and businesses to locate here, healthier citizens, and a higher quality of life all result from providing a quality trail system. The vision of our Bridgeport Parks & Recreation, Engineering, and Public Works departments, with strong support from the City Council, continues to elevate our community and make Bridgeport one of the best places to live, work, and play in West Virginia.

Let me get my shoes on. It’s time for a walk.

Editor's Note: Submitted photos of the trails around Bridgeport.