The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Event welcomes walkers, cyclists
Healthy lunch offered at Black River Landing
If people make the time to get out for exercise, Lorain has places to go, said local workers crafting a plan to improve safety for walkers and cyclists in the city.
On Sept. 28, the Lorain Port Authority hosted Rollin’ on the River, with morning and afternoon sessions for walkers and bike riders.
The event included free breakfast or lunch for participants, who had several options for the day.
The planners suggested local workers drive with their bikes, then park at Black River Landing and ride to their jobs. Or, people who brought bikes to work were invited to ride down to Black River Landing for lunch.
For both times, walkers were welcome.
“This is intended to get people more aware of the site and hopefully encouraging people to walk and bike here,” said Katherine Bray, health education specialist for the Lorain County General Health District.
This year, the health district, with Lorain City Schools, the city Engineering Department, the Ohio Department of Transportation, Lorain County Metro Parks, and other participants are working on an active transportation plan to improve safety for students and anyone walking, cycling and using public transportation to get around Lorain.
The plan is not final, but it has sparked interest and several events so far, including a walk-to-school day for Lorain students.
Rollin’ on the River is related to the Lorain Active Transportation Plan because it is a citywide plan. It focuses on students and schools, but expands to include residents of any age who want to get around safely, Bray said.
“We’re hoping to increase awareness of the great spaces to be physically active in Lorain,” Bray said.
There is a core group of walkers at Black River Landing, said Port Executive Director Tom Brown. He added he expects that number to grow.
The Port has published a walking map with distances, estimated times and steps of the trails around Black River Landing.
In the summer, there were aerobics sessions at Black River Landing. Brown said he would like to hear from instructors for activities such as yoga and tai chi, who are looking for an outdoor setting for classes.
Dog walkers are welcome and there is a human and dog hydration station near the port office, Brown said. Dogs must be on a leash and owners should clean up after them with dog waste bags available at the site.
On Sept. 28, the crowd was made up of staff from United Way of Greater Lorain County, Lorain police and firefighters, city hall workers, school staffers, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Lorain High School students of hospitality management and culinary arts provided
breakfast and lunch with instructors David Smith and Terra Dahlhausen.
“We just live on the west side and are looking for activities to get us out more. This is good,” said Lorene Carver of Lorain. She was off work so she had time to attend with her husband, Virgil, a retired Ford worker.
When Black River Landing was built, Lorene Carver recalled her comment about the plan.
“Lorain is about boats, people and water,” she said. “And it’s still true.”
The couple spent many hours at Black River Landing when their daughters, Katie and Mallery, performed
with Hungarian folk dancers at the Lorain International Festival.
Their daughters respectively are in graduate school and college now, Lorene Carver said, but she suggested using Black River Landing for a stroller-friendly gathering of young mothers and children.
“They need to learn that life’s not all the material things,” she said. “It’s quality time together, it’s walking and talking.”
If there is a repeat of the event, but in the evening, Lorene Carver said she would bring her friends who work normal hours during the day.
“We’re hoping to increase awareness of the great spaces to be physically active in Lorain.” — Katherine Bray, health education specialist for the Lorain County General Health District