Lynnwood’s group of South County Walkers starts off from Lynnwood Recreation Center on Aug. 2. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Lynnwood’s group of South County Walkers starts off from Lynnwood Recreation Center on Aug. 2. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Summer walking groups foster healthy habits

South County Walks are scheduled through September in Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.

Fast and slow, loners and talkers, young and old — South County Walks welcomes them all.

The walking groups meet weekly in Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace. Each walk is 2 to 3 miles long and goes through parks, on trails or along the waterfront. The volunteer-led walks are scheduled through the summer.

South County Walks was established in 2016 through a partnership between the Lynnwood-based Verdant Health Commission, the Edmonds Senior Center and each city’s recreation departments to promote the healthy habit of walking.

“It’s really about providing people the opportunity to be active and give them something that’s regular,” said Verdant spokeswoman Jennifer Piplic. “It’s not a one-time thing, but something they can plan on doing up to four times a week.”

Research shows that walking regularly has numerous benefits, but chief among them are reducing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. It also provides a boost in energy, reduces stress and improves your mood.

Group walks are even more beneficial, according a recent Anglia Ruskin University study. That research concluded that group walking increases quality of life, fosters social connections and improves consistency in exercise routines.

“The folks who come back repeatedly enjoy the connection they make with each other,” Piplic said.

South County Walks is modeled after Step Out Edmonds, a former walking club of the Edmonds Senior Center. Walkers were given a walking map that they could follow at their own pace. Each of the club’s maps outlined a 3-mile walk. Though the club was intended for seniors, all ages were welcome.

Members of the Verdant Health Commission liked the idea and thought it could be expanded to other cities — and open to all ages. It didn’t take long for other like-minded partners to jump on board. Step Out Edmonds is now part of South County Walks.

“I think it’s great that it gets people to get out and get moving,” said Michelle Burke, program manager at Edmonds Senior Center. “They can get out and meet new people, and see different areas and new things. It’s as much social as it is exercise, which I think is cool.”

If you’re bored of one city’s walking routes, you’re welcome to join another group. It helps keep the variety while exercising.

Walkers earn special cards if they go on at least eight walks over the summer. The cards allow them to enter drawings to win prizes, such as a FitBit and a pair of running or walking shoes.

If you go

What: South County Walks

When: Through September

Where: Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace

More: 425-582-8600 orwww.verdanthealth.org

South County Walks

Here are the locations and times for each South County Walks group:

Lynnwood: Meet at 6 p.m. every Monday at the Verdant Community Wellness Center, 4710 196th St. SW, and every Thursday at the Lynnwood Recreation Center, 18900 44th W.

Edmonds: Meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Edmonds Seniors Center, 220 Railroad Ave.

Mountlake Terrace: Meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion, 5303 228th St. SW.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Photo courtesy of Graphite Arts Center
Amelia DiGiano’s photography is part of the “Seeing Our Planet” exhibit, which opens Friday and runs through Aug. 9 at the Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds.
A&E Calendar for July 10

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Snohomish County Dahlia Society members Doug Symonds and Alysia Obina on Monday, March 3, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How to grow for show: 10 tips for prize-winning dahlias

Snohomish County Dahlia Society members share how they tend to their gardens for the best blooms.

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

The 2025 Audi A3 premium compact sedan (Provided by Audi).
2025 Audi A3 upgradesdesign and performance

The premium compact sedan looks sportier, acts that way, too.

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County will host climate resiliency open house on July 30

Community members are encouraged to provide input for the county’s developing Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.