Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) recognize how a simple 30-minute short walk can positively affect your daily routine. As Arlington County emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, we look ahead towards National Walking Day to reintroduce a sense of normalcy and a healthy intrigue to your daily routine. This year, ATP and WalkArlington are highlighting the county’s hidden gems through our virtual event.
A Walk a Day
As cases come down and vaccination rates increase, allocating time to enjoy a walk is important to begin the process of reconnecting with the community and staying healthy. According to America Walks, there are four core reasons why a walk a day can help minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection and maintain a healthy mental balance:
- Daily physical activity encourages muscle activity and lung function.
- Daily physical activity can prevent other chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer.
- Walking minimizes the lockdown’s anxiety and depression.
- Walking can restore hormonal balance and positively impact your immune system.
It’s Easy to Walk in Arlington
Arlington enjoys a Walkability Score average of 69, the highest among cities in the State of Virginia. A higher walkability score means that Arlington residents can run most errands and travel around the county by walking. This also means that public access to parks and spaces is wide ranging enough to allow Arlington residents to allocate at least 30 minutes—or the recommended 10,000 daily steps—to walk.
Celebrate National Walking Day
National Walking Day is on Wednesday April 7, 2021. Join ATP and our partners at WalkArlington as we virtually discover some of Arlington’s hidden gems. These landmarks encompass the very best Arlington County has to offer—our favorite walks, our favorite businesses—and more. Explore our virtual interactive map once you register to walk with us on National Walking Day and be eligible for some fun giveaways.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/Kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners