No. 52: Pep Step Your Way Around the Park

For this month's we are getting some morning exercise with a one-hour guided walking tour around .

Head over to the park starting on Monday at 10 a.m., joining about 20 other walkers mingling by the front of the mansion. After an eight minute warm-up, you will begin your stroll heading north along the path by the paved road. As you circle around the ball fields, you will pass the pool, playground, and turf field, heading behind the community center. You will then be guided back, by way of the tennis courts, to the mansion to repeat two more laps. 

Registration is recommended but you can just show up and fill out a form. Nobody is ever closed out, everyone is welcome. 

This is geared to all fitness levels and all walks of life. On any given Monday or Wednesday you can find moms with strollers as well as nonagenarians. And taking a shortcut is encouraged for those who need to play catch-up.

Looking for an extra challenge? Then wear hand and ankle weights but don't forget your water bottle.

To add two more days to your walking regiment, Tuesdays and Thursdays the same program is available at John J. Burns park in Massapequa occurring at the identical time.

As the weather gets colder, the Walking Program moves inside to the Broadway Mall in Hicksville, running from November 5 until December 6, continuing on January through late February. The community park will resume the program in May for a spring jaunt.

So bring along friends and family to enjoy some outdoor exercise or come solo and meet new amblers. The fall session ends on Thursday, October 18.

Registration forms can be obtained at the Recreation Office in the TOBAY Skating Center in Bethpage. For additional information, contact the Recreation Division at 797-4125, prompt 3.