Recorded presentation

Julie A. Walwick, MSW¹, Sheryl Schwartz, MPA¹, Allen Cheadle, PhD², Trevor Gregg, BA³, and Karen Lewis, BA⁴. (1) Health Promotion Research Center, University of Washington, Box 354804, Seattle, WA 98195, (206) 616-3146, walwick@u.washington.edu, (2) Department of Health Services, University of Washington, 1107 NE 45th St., Suite 200, Box 354804, Seattle, WA 98105, (3) Senior Adult Programs, City of Seattle Parks & Recreation, 8061 Densmore Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103, (4) Healthy Aging Initiative, Comprehensive Health Education Foundation, 22419 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 98198

Physical activity provides significant health benefits to older adults, and walking is the most accessible and popular form of activity. Promoting walking can be a challenge, however, and effective programs can require the collaboration of multiple, diverse partners. Sound Steps, a walking program for more than 500 older adults implemented by the Healthy Aging Partnership (HAP) in the summers of 2003 and 2004 through Seattle Parks & Recreation, illustrates the benefits of parks and recreation departments working in collaboration with community partners. The goal of this free neighborhood-based program was to encourage sedentary older adults, age 50 and older, to take up walking for better fitness and socialization. Sound Steps provided options for the walkers: participants could walk on their own; walk with organized groups from the local community center; and/or walk with friends, neighbors, or other Sound Steppers outside of the organized walks. HAP member, University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center, evaluated Sound Steps, finding that many older adults increased the amount they walked, created new ties with their neighbors and community, and improved their health and stamina. The original vision of Sound Steps was that it be primarily led by older adult volunteers, in order to build capacity for the walking program as well as to provide older adults with the benefits of meaningful community engagement. This evaluation highlights methods of developing a strong volunteer component of this neighborhood-based walking program.

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