Regional YMCA of Western CT Tells Residents to Use Leg Power

From The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut:

Human Powered Legs! How we get people and things from one place to another affects our health!

Greater Danbury, April 19, 2016 – The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut and a Greater Danbury Coalition called “Getting There” has convened to raise interest on the importance of using human powered legs when transporting ourselves from one place to another. The walkability and bikeability of a community can have a longstanding impact on the health of it’s residents. During the month of May communities in Greater Danbury will be holding events that encourage walking or biking or in other words using the power of our legs.

“Community land use and design that encourages walking and biking as a choice of transportation creates opportunities for children, adults and families to engage in daily physical activity. Towns across Connecticut and nationwide are celebrating the success of such Active Transportation Initiatives including economic growth, attracting young professionals in the workforce and improvement in the well-being of their residents” states Maureen Farrell, Director of Community Wellness for the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut.

Show your support by attending one or more of these community events planned during the month of May:

April 30- 1 pm to 3 pm The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, Greenknoll Branch will kick off the month of activities with a Youth Bike Rodeo at Healthy Kids Day! Bring your bike and helmet and participate in a safety check, helmet decorating and take a ride in our obstacle course. Participants will be entered into a raffle. The event if free to the public. For more information call the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut at (203) 775-4444.

May 4- 7:30 am at Danbury City Hall. Danbury Park Avenue School students will have a Walk To School Day meeting Mayor Boughton at City Hall and walk together to school. Park Avenue students are encouraged to join the walk along George Street. Interested Parent Volunteers please contact Maria Vargas at Park Avenue School at (203)797-4763.

May 15- 11:00 am meet at the Goodie Shop in New Fairfield- Show your support by joining the WALK on the proposed multi-use Marjorie Trail to connect between Danbury and New Fairfield. For more information email Peter Hearn at peterbhearn@hotmail.com

May 18th- 7:00 am - 9:00 am; 3:00 pm-5 pm HARTransit wants you to Celebrate Danbury Bike to Work Day. Join with co-workers and enjoy a bike ride to work. Celebration meet up is at the Pulse Point at Kennedy Park and Main Street. For more information email Drew O’Connell at drewo@hartransit.com

May 18- 6:45 pm for 7 pm departure; Ride of Silence- meet at Rogers Park on Memorial Dr, in front of Rogers Park Middle School. Helmets are mandatory; lights are recommended. Route is 5 miles, fairly flat. It's a slow pace, silent ride, that can be joined by nearly everyone (even those who typically do not ride on roads). The ride honors those killed/injured and promotes sharing the road. Local event updates will be provided on Facebook or log onto www.rideofsilence.org .

May 20- 7:00 am - 9:00 am HARTransit wants you to Celebrate Bethel Bike to Work Day. Join with co-workers and enjoy a bike ride to work. Join us for breakfast at the Bethel Train Station, 13 Durant Avenue, Bethel. For more information email drewo@hartransit.com

May 20- 8:00 am – 9:00 am Join New Milford Mayor David Gronbach as he leads National Bike to Work Day from his house to the New Milford Town Hall. There will be meet up stops along the way and a reception with snacks at the finish. For more information contact Tom O’Brien, Chairman of the New Milford River Trail Association at (203) 770-2816 or email tomob98@gmail.com.

May 29- 1:30 pm- Brookfield High School Join the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut at the Brookfield Memorial Day Parade. Arrive at the parade line up early ready to decorate your bike. Families will ride bikes in the parade route. All children under age 13 must be accompanied by a parent. Bike helmets are required. Please register ahead by contacting Maria Neufeld, Youth Program Coordinator at (203) 775-4444 ext. 109.

To join the “Getting There” Coalition, please contact Maureen Farrell at the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut at (203) 740-3432 Ext. 236 or email mfarrell@regionalymca.org.