By St. George Mayor Jon Pike
Here it is: it’s 2016 already! I know it’s typically the time for goals and resolutions in our lives. This year, I want to really make an effort to take greater advantage of the many outdoor opportunities in St. George and Washington County.
I’ve been told by fitness experts that walking is perhaps the best exercise we can do throughout our lifetimes. It’s something we can do now and keep doing into old age, and if we walk far enough and frequently enough, it will certainly help us feel better and live longer! With forty miles of paved trails in St. George alone plus the many other natural trails, there are so many safe and fun places to walk, run, hike, and ride.
Which brings me to cycling. St. George is making a real effort to focus more on active transportation. Our Active Transportation Committee is meeting regularly and bringing forward ideas to help us plan better in the future and make incremental improvements now! We’ve engaged a consultant to drill down in this area and give us ideas of what will work best in St. George in conjunction with the trails and streets we have. We also want to do more in the area of safety when it comes to pedestrians and cyclists in relation to cars. We can all work together to share the roads and get to where we’re going safely! I rode my bike to work several times last May during Bike to Work Month. I want to ride a lot more in 2016. It takes some extra time and planning to ride to work, but let’s see what we can do at least once in a while!
We have so many hiking and mountain-biking trails in our city and county! I haven’t gone on enough of them and plan to do more this year. There are trails for all skill levels right in our backyard. Information is available from a number of sources, including at sgcity.org. Take a hike or ride with a friend, your spouse, or your children! Many do this already and have a great time being active together.
Our nearby reservoirs are great for things like motor boating, waterskiing, wake boarding, and surfing. They’re also great for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and more.
Bottom line: So many people love to come visit our area because of all the activities that are available. It’s why many of us live here. Let’s take even greater advantage of what we have in 2016 and make it a happier, healthier year!
