Department of Health

Time to Hit the Links for Let's Move! Golf and Walking

This year marks the fourth year of the Let's Move STL! Golf and Walking Program. The City of St. Louis and East St. Louis, IL health departments are collaborating once again to bring this program to residents in the greater St. Louis region. Other program partners include Let's Move! STL, Saint Louis University's Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Amateur Swing, Reasons 2Achieve, iHeartMedia, GirlTrek, and the Grand Marais Golf Club. Through these partnerships, participants will have a great opportunity to improve their health and fitness while they have fun too.

Participants in this year's program will have an opportunity to learn how to golf with free lessons, play golf for free or walk the beautiful trails of Frank Holten State Park with a dedicated group. Youth are welcome to participate too.  In addition to the golfing lessons and play, the youth can access professional development training that will benefit them in their personal lives. As always there will be plenty of health information and healthy snacks to enjoy.

Golfing and the companion walking program provide an excellent opportunity to get outside and get moving. "The program promotes healthy family activities and aligns with First Lady Michelle Obama's national Let's Move! initiative to solve the obesity epidemic," said Melba Moore, Acting Director/Commissioner of Health for the City of St. Louis. "Obesity is a regional issue, so we're happy to collaborate with surrounding agencies to address the problem."

This year, the walking program will be spearheaded by the local chapter of GirlTrek, a non-profit group focused on promoting more activity for women and girls, especially those of color. For anyone who would love to be more physically active but is looking for an alternative to golf, the walking program may help to jump-start your fitness efforts.

Residents throughout the greater metropolitan area are invited to participate. The program is free and open to the public. The fun will take place at Grand Marais Golf Club, 5802 Lake Drive, Centreville, IL on Thursdays, beginning April 30, through June 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit the City of St. Louis Health Institute website at www.thehealthinstitutestl.org or contact Melissa Ramel at 314-657-1571, RamelM@stlouis-mo.gov, or healthinstitutestl@gmail.com.