October is the perfect time to walk, roll and stroll!
It’s October! The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are starting to change and pumpkins are popping up on porches around the Kansas City region. That means it’s also the perfect time to get out and walk, KC!
There are plenty of activities to inspire you to move. This list offers resources and events by county.
Johnson County
Looking for fun fall activities for your family? Follow Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and Live Well JoCo social media accounts for local park recommendations every Friday during the month of October!
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Live Well JoCo
Facebook | Instagram
Jackson County
As the weather gets colder and the leaves start to change, join the Jackson County Health Department in celebrating #FallFridays with a scavenger hunt! Move your body, get some fresh air, and enjoy nature. Each week, they will feature a new trail on their social media (@jacksoncountyhd) where you can find items on their list. Think you can find them all? Be sure to tag them on social media with pictures of your fall finds and completed scavenger hunt list.
Jackson County Health Department
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Kansas City, Missouri
Celebrate Walktober with Kansas City Parks & Recreation! Walk, ride or run a different trail every Sunday in October! The month of October is ideal for exercising outside — the temperatures are cool and the colors are spectacular. Walktober makes the most of this great season by inviting participants on a tour of autumn’s most vibrant landscapes and inspiring everyone to make movement a priority! Dogs on leashes are welcome.
View the Walktober event calendar
Wyandotte County
- Kansas City Kansas Community College invites students, faculty, staff and community members to participate in the Walk Across Kansas Incentive Program. The goal of the eight-week walking program is to improve the health and wellness of each participant by walking enough miles to travel across the state of Kansas. Teams will include four people and starting Sept. 27, each team member will complete at least two miles of walking/jogging/running per day.
- The NE KCK Heritage Trail Project is hosting a Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 23, 20201 from noon until 2:30 p.m. You can learn about the Heritage Trail Project, share memories and ideas, and participate in the pumpkin carving contest!
- Walk with a Doc at this free, fun, and socially distanced walking program. On three Saturdays in October, healthcare professionals and students from the University of Kansas Medical Center will lead walks where you can learn about health topics while you get some steps in.
- The Central Avenue Betterment Association is hosting a Dia de Muertos Celebration on Nov. 6, 2021, that includes a walking catrinas show.
Regionwide
With The Walking Detective™ from KC Healthy Kids, kids can conduct walking audits to find clues and collect evidence to show how walkable their communities are. They can build a case report to show city officials what things are working well and what things need to be improved.
A scoring guide helps them evaluate sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic, safety and amenities like parks and benches. They gather evidence by taking photos, drawing pictures and maps, and making notes, then put their findings in a letter to their city leaders.
Spending time in nature reduces stress and elevates our mood. Check out Green Works in Kansas City’s Exploring Nature in the City to find nearby sites for getting a healthy dose of nature, along with a list of essential items to have on hand.
The ECOS program for 4th-8th graders includes hikes, bird watching, identification of native trees and plants, nature art projects and more. ECOS is offered on Saturdays during the school year at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, near 47th and Troost and at Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park.
Check out the new retail space at 506 E. 31st Street, Kansas City, Missouri. It’s open for First Fridays and sells well-curated used goods and entrepreneurial products made by students in their Green Lab.
The Kansas City Plogtober Cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2021, is a great way to get outdoors after a long quarantine and get some exercise while engaging in a socially responsible activity that beautifies the streamside trails in your community! Trash that ends up on the ground ends up in our water systems — polluting ecosystems and killing vital organisms!
Get your friends, family and co-workers together and earn points for your county for the title of Kansas City’s Top Ploggers! Entry is FREE and you can register as an individual or team, and represent either your home county or your office. There are 14 routes to choose from throughout the region.
Walking and biking benefit your health, your wallet and the environment. Whether you’re running errands or visiting local parks and trails, the Kansas City region is a great place to explore. The Regional Trails & Bikeways Map will help you find the best route for your trip and find new places to explore.