City Parks & Rec recognizes Babb’s achievements in walking program
Published 5:17 pm Thursday, June 1, 2017
- Norma Babb
One local resident recently had the opportunity to walk across America — right from confines at the City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation gymnasium.
Recreation Manager David Nanney recognized the efforts of Norma Babb, who recently completed the “Walk Across America” walking program offered by the department.
In the program, individuals walk in the gym and go on a “trip” of 2,817 miles — the equivalent of Virginia Beach, Va., to Los Angeles.
“It’s such a fun program,” Nanney said. “We have three walking programs available at our recreation center — ‘Walk Across Tennessee’, ‘Walk Across America’ and ‘Walk Around the World’ — and the people that participate seem to have a great time. The walkers will log their miles as they walk in the gym.”
Babb has been an avid walker at the center for many years, Nanney said. Prior to her recent accomplishment, Babb completed 539 miles from Mountain City to Memphis for the state-oriented program.
“It is actually very interesting because it becomes a little bit of a family affair,” Nanney said. “Her three sisters also walk with her. Her sister (Trena) also has her husband that walks, too. They are such a great group of people.”
Nanney added that two other individuals have completed the America-oriented walk.
The walking program is open to the public and lasts from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the center.
“Our walking programs are free to the public,” Nanney said. “During that set time, it is geared for the program. But people can come by and walk in the gym, but there is the possibility of basketball games going on.”
Having walking groups, along with the laundry list of activities for the public, is important to help promote a positive lifestyle in the community, said Nanney.
“We want to make sure we have the activities available for the public,” he added. “Whether it’s flag football, basketball, the walking groups or the Franklin Pool. We’re always keeping an ear out to hear what the community wants and we want to do what we can to provide that to them. There’s such a focus on staying healthy and we want to help on that side with the different stuff available through the department.”
For more information about the programs offered by Parks & Rec, visit their website at elizabethton.org or call (423) 547-6441.