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Healthy Active Community Environments
Trails for Health
Visit Corvallis Trails: Exploring the Heart of the Valley
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Book is available in Corvallis-area bookstores and sporting good stores or by calling 1-800-426-3797. Click book graphic for more information. |
Book entitled Corvallis Trails
Increasing Opportunities for Physical Activity in the Community
Benton County's Healthy Active Community Environments -Trails for Health Project is an innovative strategy to create sustainable solutions to one of our greatest health challenge, the epidemic of obesity and related health problems. Active use of trails for positive health outcomes is being seen more and more by health professionals as an excellent way to encourage people to adopt lifestyle changes that will bring lifetime health benefits.
The Healthy Active Community Environments Taskforce is focusing on the issue of improving health through outdoor recreation, with our partners Benton County Natural Areas and Parks and Corvallis Parks and Recreation.
"The trail website is an effort of Benton County to promote healthy communities and healthy people" said Tom Eversole, Benton County Health Administrator. "We believe it represents the leading edge of a growing national movement to increase physical activity."
Walking is an excellent way to be physically active, and physical activity helps you feel better, enjoy a better quality of life and prevent disease. We encourage you to use these maps to take advantage of the beautiful neighborhoods, paths and trails in Benton County These maps are provided by Benton County in cooperation with local partners throughout the county.
Physical Activity: A Key Element of Good Health
Although physical activity offers many health benefits, people who are seeking ways to more active often overlook the opportunities that trails offer. Trails can be found everywhere, from city parks and county parks. They provide a wide variety of ways to be physically active and have fun.
- Walking, jogging, running and hiking
- Rollerblading/in-line skating
- Wheelchair recreation
- Bicycling
- Cross Country skiing and snowshoeing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Horseback riding
- Canoeing or kayaking on water trails
How much is enough?
Physical activity does not need to be hard to provide benefits. Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (such as brisk walking) on five or more days per week, according to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Taking Steps to Be More Active
Overcoming common stumbling blocks to physical activity can help you make physical activity a regular part of your life:
Not enough time? Start by doing 10 minutes of physical activity a day and gradually work your way up to 30 minutes. Choose activities that require minimal time, such as walking, jogging or biking.
Can't get motivated? Plan ahead. Make physical activity a regular part of your schedule. Invite a friend to exercise with you regularly. Join a group, such as a hiking or walking club.
No place to be active? Look around your community for inexpensive, convenient places for physical activity, such as trails, parks and community centers.
No athletic skill? Choose physical activities such as walking that require no new skills. You don't need to be athletic to exercise.
