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Thurston County proclaims May as National Walking Month; public health highlights Safe Routes to School program
Summary
The Board of Health proclaimed May 2025 as National Walking Month and heard Thurston County Public Health staff emphasize walking's health benefits and a Safe Routes to School pilot at Pleasant Glade Elementary.
The Thurston County Board of Health on May 13 proclaimed May 2025 as National Walking Month and received an update from Laurie Montoya, a registered nurse and program manager in the county’s parent-child health program.
Montoya described evidence-based benefits of walking — preventing chronic disease, reducing fall risk, boosting heart health and improving mental wellness — and emphasized the social benefits of walking in reducing isolation. She described a Safe Routes to School grant focusing on Pleasant Glade Elementary that will provide education and outreach to support walking and walking safety for students.
Montoya invited board members and the public to a county-park walk at Tumwater Falls Park (noted in presentation as "Shoots Falls Park" in Yelm) on the last Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. and pointed listeners to projectnurturewa.com (Project Nature) for local trail and park information. She also described work with the sheriff’s office and outreach at the Thurston County Fair to support walking education.
The proclamation text cites national and local public-health findings, calls out social isolation as a public-health issue and urges residents to incorporate walking into daily routines. The board adopted the proclamation.
Montoya identified Safe Routes to School as a small, public-works-supported grant and said the county plans communications including social media and community outreach when the program launches.
