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As gates and doors continue to open back up and families are emerging from the COVID-19 social lull, walk- ing and biking trails become welcoming activities to fam- ilies who can enjoy exercising and playing outside games together. Not only can parents and grandparents enjoy spending the extended time with their children, but kids can benefit from an education outside in the flora and fauna of nature. A walking workout is one of the simplest and most beneficial forms of exercise that works for most bodies. According to The Daily Mail.com, brisk walks could be better than strenuous jogging. The article goes on to say, “Together with diet and other exercise plans, it (walking) can also help with weight loss and tone up muscles.” Dr. Craig Williams, sports science lecturer at the University of Exeter says about walking, “It can improve muscle endurance as well as strength. Especially in the lower body. It is good for bones and improves the body’s cardiovascular system. It also helps boost circulation.” And, Dr. Williams adds, “Because it is low impact, it does not have the same potential for injury as jogging. Yet it can offer all the benefits. There are a number of locations throughout Mis- sissippi from Corinth, into Greenwood, through Hatties- burg and down south to Biloxi. Trails fall into categories such as ‘walking trails’, ‘hiking trails’, ‘biking trails’, ‘camp- ing trails’ and even ‘dog friendly trails. These locations provide great opportunities for fun day trips. Under a relatively recent program of 1986 called the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 250 miles of rail-trail opened to the public. This made way for such colorfully named trails as Missouri’s 185-mile Katy Trail in 1987. This program provides aid to communities left with no longer used railroad lines. Miles of blacktopped and paved roads for walking, biking and dog-walking are de- veloped and landscaped for the free enjoyment of families and individuals. This allows large cities to create usable greenspace through and around urban landscapes. Camping trails, on the other hand, travel through national parks and provide for CDC approved regulations for safe extended stays in cabins, campers and pitched tents. Kids learn skills working with others by aiding their parents with camping chores. By spending time in nature and using guide books, children can learn about the plants and animals around them. Many cities in Mississippi like Picayune and Biloxi have resourced land and properties from demolished buildings and city excess land into dog walking paths and lighted tracks with shaded benches. Crosby Commons park is a property acquired by the City of Picayune where Crosby Memorial Hospital once stood. At the grand opening of its lighted walking track and piped music, Transportation Commissioner Tom King was in attendance. As reported by WLOX radio station, he commented, “I’ve always preached and be- lieved in a team effort, and you have a team effort here folks.” Inner city trails offer shorter paths with convenient resting and lavatory facilities that make it conducive to the participation of grandparents as well on these walking family outings. The open-air situation is great. For the ambitious family with outdoor experience, the wilderness trails of forested parks can deliver the most natural beauty and education of wildflowers, indigenous animals, and ancient trees. For the urban dwelling family with members of various ages and physical abilities and pets, city trails with trash receptacles, manicured gardens, and educational literature can offer a learning as well as physical devel- opment experience for the whole family. Happy ‘family trails’ to you all. Lynne Adams Barze’, author-wrtier-poet.net 10 SOUTHERN SENIOR MAGAZINE | Winter 2022 S Cont. pg 12 Lynne Adams Barze’ author-writer-poet.net SAFE FAMILY OUTINGS FOR 2022