Unique Walking Program at Pierce Brothers Westlake Village

Unique Walking Program at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks - Griffin Memorial Park Offers The Community A Peaceful Place to Get Fit!

Memorial Park provides a well-marked route, Walking Tips, water and snacks for anyone in the community seeking to walk for training, fitness, health or meditation.

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks - Griffin Memorial Park today announced it is inviting all community members to “Walk with Dignity” along a newly designated community walking route through its grounds. The path, open to all community members daily from dusk to dawn, is ideal for individuals and small groups seeking a safe, tranquil environment for training or fitness walks, easy meditative strolls or teams in training.

A “Walking Tips” leaflet provides information on stretching and photos of proper fitness walking techniques and is available at each entrance, along with a map of the route. Walkers can begin at any time and at any point on the path, which is marked clearly in 1/10-mile increments for those wishing to track mileage. All walkers will be provided with unlimited water and light, healthy snacks. Anyone wishing to join the Memorial Park’s walking group, Walk for Life, will receive a complementary “Walk With Dignity” T-Shirt when they first stop by the office.

“We live in interesting times, and many in our community are facing challenges they never expected,” said Terence Shotkoski, General Manager of Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks - Griffin Memorial Park. “Our grounds provide a safe place for everyone in the area to walk, undisturbed by traffic, noise or other distractions, whether trying to get or stay fit, training for a competition or charity walk, or just needing some time to reflect.”

The walking course is accessible from either the Lindero Canyon Road or Russell Ranch Road entrance to Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks - Griffin Memorial Park. The complementary Walking Tips, prepared by Dr. Brett Darrington, Chiropractic Therapy and Sports Performance, are designed to ensure everyone realizes the full health benefits from their walk. As with any exercise program, anyone planning to use the walking path should check with their healthcare professional for any precautions they should take before beginning a new health program.

Additionally, Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks - Griffin Memorial Park is inviting interested community members to join its “DEFEAT DIABETES Team Dignity,” which is preparing for the Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes this Fall. 2009 marks the second year DEFEAT DIABETES Team Dignity has participated in the Los Angeles walk. In 2008, Team Dignity raised more than $6,000, ranking in the top five of all Los Angeles area fundraising teams. For more information, contact Jacqueline Ruiz, team leader, at (805) 495-0837 or jacqueline.ruiz@sci-us.com

“Walking is easy, requires no special equipment, and can change the way you feel,” said Jacqueline Ruiz, team leader for DEFEAT DIABETES Team Dignity. “While everyone is welcome to enjoy our new walking path, we hope to grow DEFEAT DIABETES Team Dignity through community participation in our endeavor to raise urgently needed funds to eliminate not only diabetes, but cardiovascular problems, kidney failure, blindness, lower limb amputations, and other related health issues.”