(06/30/20) BOGALUSA, La. — The LSU AgCenter SNAP Education program recently worked with the City of Bogalusa to install motivational health and walking trail signs in Bogalusa.
The signs now installed at Goodyear and Cassidy Parks give information about exercise benefits, checking your heart rate, staying hydrated, warming up, stretching and trail distance.
“Walking is universal because it’s free, you do not need to join a gym or have any equipment,” said Valerie Vincent, family and consumer sciences regional coordinator for the LSU AgCenter. “Whether you are at your home walking in place or walking outdoors in a park, being physically active daily is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Physically active people live longer and have a reduced risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and some cancers.”
The signs are part of efforts by the Bogalusa Strong Healthy Communities coalition. The LSU AgCenter is a cofounder of the coalition along with Our Lady of Angels Hospital, Well Ahead and the City of Bogalusa.
Bogalusa Strong is a collaborative partnership of community members, leaders, businesses and organizations working together to improve quality of life by promoting physical, social and environmental health. The coalition’s goal is to create a healthier community where all residents of Bogalusa thrive.
“Walking is the best stress reliever,” said Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette. “Having gone through my husband’s cancer, walking became my way to destress and spend the time needed to take care of my mind and body.”
Landom Tims, director of parks and recreation for the City of Bogalusa, is an active member of Bogalusa Strong. He works with community partners to make park improvements and increase access to physical activity and exercise in Bogalusa.
“We want to thank the LSU AgCenter for providing these motivational signs, and we want to encourage the community to come out and utilize the parks,” Tims said.
Bogalusa Strong partner Angela Lambert, of Our Lady of Angels Hospital, welcomed the addition of the new signs as the hospital strives to work with residents to keep the community healthy.
For more information on Bogalusa Strong or the LSU AgCenter, contact Vincent at vvincent@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Mayor Wendy Perrette poses with a new walking trail sign in Bogalusa. Photo by Valerie Vincent/LSU AgCenter
A new walking trail sign in Bogalusa demonstrates how to check your heart rate. Photo by Valerie Vincent/LSU AgCenter
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture