Walk Tacoma 2014 Kicks Off April 2

Downtown On the Go's annual Walk Tacoma series kicks off, appropriately, with a celebration of National Walking Day next Wednesday, April 2.

Walk Tacoma 2014 will include eight free walking events on first and third Wednesdays, April through August, sponsored by Franciscan Health Systems. The first walk, on April 2, will be a walk through Wright Park and the Stadium District. The eight-walk series includes other themed 1.5 to 2 mile walks with related discussions from local experts. The series wraps up with a walking scavenger hunt on August 6. Walks are scheduled at lunchtime or just after work, around downtown Tacoma, to encourage downtown employees and residents to get out and walk. 

The National Walking Day event gets the series started with a 1.5-mile walk through Wright Park and the Stadium District. Walkers will be joined by Melissa McGinnis, from Metro Parks, Bill Baarsma, former Tacoma Mayor, and Caroline Swope, from Kingstree Studios, for a talk on the history of Wright Park, Stadium High School, and the Stadium District. 

No pre-registration is required, but the first 200 participants to show up for the free event will receive a "swag bag," and booths will be available from 11:30 to noon for walkers to learn more about healthy lifestyles, healthy commutes, and other walking events.

Many of the after-work walks are followed by a social gathering at local restaurants. Sounds like a great way to get to know a little more about Tacoma.

The Fifth Annual Walk Tacoma series

Stadium Walk – Wright Park - Wednesday, April 2 (Noon – 1pm)
Start: Lion sculptures at Wright Park on 6th Avenue  
Walk with:  Melissa McGinnis, MetroParks, Bill Baarsma, Former Tacoma Mayor & Caroline Swope, Kingstree Studios
Sponsor: Stadium Business District
Walk Tacoma kick-off with the American Heart Association on National Walking Day

Museum Walk - Wednesday, April 16 (5:15 – 6:30pm)
Start: Children’s Museum at 15th & Pacific Ave.
Walk with:  Pat McCarthy, PierceCounty Executive
Sponsor: TWOKOI Japanese Cuisine
Social following the walk at Anthem Coffee & Tea

Architecture Walk - Wednesday, May 7 (Noon – 1pm)
Start:  FountainPlaza at Well Fargo on 12th & Pacific Ave.
Walk with: David Boe, Principal / Boe Architects 
Sponsor: AHBL

UWT / Brewery Walk - Wednesday, May 21 (5:15pm – 6:30pm)
Start: Bottom of UWT stairs at 19th & Pacific Ave.
Walk with: Julie Nicoletta, UWT History Professor
Sponsor:         KPG
Social following the walk at the Harmon Brewery & Eatery

Tacoma’s First Neighborhood Walk - Wednesday, June 4 (Noon – 1pm)
Start: Woolworth Building at 11th & Broadway
Walk with Victoria Woodards, Tacoma Deputy Mayor
Sponsor: Commencement Bank

Public Art Walk - Wednesday, June 18 (5:15pm – 6:30pm)
Start: Fireman’s Park at 7th & Pacific Ave.
Walk with: Elizabeth Connor, Pacific Avenue Streetscape Artist
Sponsor: Spaceworks Tacoma
Social following the walk at The Forum  Social Sponsor: TrueBlue, Inc

Family Walk - Wednesday, July 16 (Noon – 1pm)
Start: Children’s Museum at 15th & Pacific
Walk with: Dianna Kielian, Franciscan Health System
Sponsor: Tacoma Rainers

Walking Scavenger Hunt - Wednesday, August 6
Check-In at the Social Bar & Grill between 4:30 – 5:30pm (bring a camera)
Walk and take public transit through downtown to find the answers to the clues.
Stay for food, drinks, & prizes at the Social Bar and Grill from 6:30 – 8pm
Sponsor: Union Bank 

Walking maps of the routes are available at no cost at Downtown On the Go (950 Pacific Ave, Suite 300), at many downtown businesses, or by contacting Meagan Kula, Downtown On the Go Coordinator, at 253-682-1734 ordotg@tacomachamber.org.