WALKING & MOBILITY – Y WALK WEDNESDAYS 2020

A series of free, guided evening walks featuring downtown neighborhoods, history, walking and health, wildlife and new development in Wilkes-Barre. Walks will be held 100% outside, starting from the Y’s address at 40 West Northampton Street, leaving promptly at 5:00 PM. Walks are approximately 90 minutes long and lead by volunteer leaders.

Please register for this free program online here. Walks will be limited to 24 walkers, who are asked to wear masks, if they are not able to keep a 6 foot distance. Walks are cancelled in heavy or persistent rain. For information call the YMCA, 570-823-2191 or visit the Y’s Facebook page.

Sept. 9th: What’s New Downtown
Downtown Wilkes-Barre is resilient and adapting: COVID-19 is just one of many challenges downtown Wilkes-Barre is meeting. Join Larry Newman, the executive director of the Diamond City Partnership, Downtown Wilkes-Barre’s development organization to learn more about new developments.

Sept 16th: LCTA and the Murray Complex Project
Join the Luzerne County Transportation Authority in a walk to to the Murray Complex, where LCTA plans to centralize bus and other services. Learn about other changes in LCTA service, and how LCTA is adapting to COVID-19. Walk Leader, Lee Horton, Luzerne County Transportation Authority

Sept. 23rd: A Walk on the Wild Side: The Kirby Park Natural Area
Explore the natural and wild wonders of the park’s riparian forest, the wildlife that call it home, some history and the important role it plays as part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Walk Leader: Vinnie Cotrone, Riverfront Parks Committee

Sept. 30th: Walking Your Way to a Healthier You
Learn about the many ways that regular activity like walking can improve your physical and mental health. This walk will also pass two iconic health landmarks in different styles: the Kirby Center, and the Highmark building. Walk Leader: Mary Price, Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA

Oct. 7th: Keeping the Susquehanna Out of Our Living Rooms
The Wyoming Valley Flood Protection levee system works hard to keep the Susquehanna’s waters where they belong: in the river. Walk Leader: Chris Belleman: Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority (walk postponed from September 2nd)

Oct. 14th: Wilkes-Barre WalkWorks
Join the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA in walking the Wilkes-Barre WalkWorks route, noting key historic landmarks along the way, and learn more about this program. The route is a mapped 2.2 mile route around downtown and Wilkes-Barre’s addition to the statewide WalkWorks program. Walk Leader: Michele Schasberger, Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA

This program is funded by the City of Wilkes-Barre by the PA Department of Health’s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and by a sponsorship from Highmark.