Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The Healthy Community Partnership, Mercy Health’s Stepping Out Program, Youngstown State University Campus Recreation, Bikeshare Youngstown, Thrive Mahoning Valley and YoGo Bike Share have launched Move the Valley, a new, expanded version of the longtime Walk the Valley initiative.

Walk the Valley has hosted the Walk Wednesday walking series at Wean Park since 2023. With new community partners, a new location and a new name, Move the Valley is launching the new Move at the Market walking group, which will replace Walk Wednesdays at the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market every second and fourth Thursday from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Walkers will meet in front of the main branch of The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County at 5 p.m. from late April through October for a 1-mile walk around downtown to return to the market.

All participants in the walk will return to the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market at the end of the walk. The first 20 walkers will receive $5 vouchers, redeemable exclusively at the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market, to encourage them to support the local vendors and incentivize their participation in Move the Valley activities. Registration is not required for walkers, but it is encouraged.

Move the Valley also will launch a beginner bike ride series at the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market in May for Bike Month and to encourage participation in the May Commuter Challenge. More details on the series of beginner bike rides will be announced soon.

The goal of Move the Valley’s activities is to improve residents’ physical and mental health with regular outdoor physical activity and social connection to create a sense of community and belonging. Anyone in the Mahoning Valley is invited and encouraged to attend and invest in their fitness and wellbeing one step, or ride, at a time.

Questions or comments can be directed to Robin Perry, network coordinator at the Healthy Community Partnership (rperry@hcpmahoningvalley.com) or 330-743-5555.