Walking is an easy and free activity that does more than keep you fit. Walking also elevates your mood, reduces your risk of disease, saves you money on gas, puts more "eyes on the street" in your neighborhood, and reduces traffic and pollution.
Find A New Place to Walk
Neighborhood Walking Routes
Being active in your community can be as easy as getting outside and walking. At Columbus Public Health, the Healthy Places Program has developed more than 20 neighborhood walking maps. Find the full list of maps here.
Columbus Art Walks
Columbus Art Walks is a self-guided walking map and audio tour of featured districts in Columbus. A map will direct you to sites, and an audio recording can be accessed that provides information about each site on the map. Learn more on Columbus Public Health's Art Walk page.
Walk With a Doc
This is a free community program for anyone who wants to take charge of their health. Come alone or bring a loved one for a walk in the park. Physicians, specialists, and other health care providers will walk with the group to answer questions and provide support.
Have a Safe Walk
- Follow these safety tips when walking in your neighborhood:
- Know your route before you leave
- Use sidewalks. If you must walk on a route without a sidewalk, walk facing traffi
- Use crosswalks. Even if it takes you a few extra minutes, walk to the closest crosswalk. Be sure that oncoming traffic is going to stop before you begin to cross
- Never cross mid-block
- Make yourself visible! You are more likely to get hit if a driver can’t see you. At night, make yourself visible by wearing light and/or reflective clothing
- Don’t surprise drivers by coming out into the road from behind objects such as parked cars
- Alcohol and drugs impair your ability to walk safely
- Be aware of your surroundings. You have as much responsibility as the drivers do
- Be a good role model. Teach your children safe guidelines for walking and follow them yourself