McDonough Walking Club:
Walking to wellness the first Saturday of each month
When lifelong runner Maclin Williams moved to McDonough in 2020, he wanted to meet people through physical exercise.
“I realized throughout my running career that I’ve always run in groups or with a friend,” said Williams, who moved to Henry County from Columbus, Ohio. “Figuring out what you need to get moving is a major part of the game.”
Williams contacted Miranda Helms at District 4 Public Health when he learned she was seeking residents to help implement a community health improvement plan.
“It was great hearing from Maclin because it’s not often an individual contacts us and says, ‘I’m new to my community. How can I help make it better?’” said Helms, District 4’s senior manager of accreditation, quality improvement, and community health.
The City of McDonough was working on “Reflection Forward,” a comprehensive plan for 2024-28. Its health component includes creating and implementing a Health Equity Plan with partners like the Department of Public Health and the American Heart Association and other community partners. The plan aims to improve health outcomes by addressing obesity and providing resources to help residents.
In June 2023, Helms and Williams—along with Staci Bagley, District 4’s chronic disease prevention program manager, and Tisa Dupree-Bright, Henry County Health Department’s now-retired nurse manager—met with Mayor Vincent to discuss a community walking club to increase engagement and physical activity. Everyone was eager to improve the health of McDonough residents.
“Mayor Vincent had been thinking of a walking club that would welcome everyone, regardless of fitness level, and help address chronic diseases,” Williams said. “She wanted to get people active while providing a space for community.”
During a recent council meeting, Mayor Vincent shared the city’s appreciation of Maclin adding, “Our goal is to create a healthier, more equitable community by addressing high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, promoting mental and emotional well-being, and raising awareness about cancer prevention. We aim to empower all residents to achieve optimal health outcomes, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life.”
Thus, the McDonough Walking Club: “Weekend Wellness” initiative was born. Since November 2023, Williams has met fellow walkers at the new Jonesboro Road Park’s walking trail on the first Saturday of each month.
November’s inaugural walk was part of the city’s bicentennial celebration. Mayor Vincent spoke at the event, featuring vendors, police and fire units, and more.
“We had 15 walkers in November, four in December, and it’s been steadily building,” Williams said. “We’ve had a mix of people, from retirees to new residents.”
The trail is about a third of a mile, and the walkers usually circle it for 30 minutes to an hour, sometimes breaking into groups based on fitness levels.
“It’s very informal and low-key, but it gives you accountability and gets you out in nature while getting exercise and meeting new people,” Williams said.
Backed by the mayor’s office, District 4 Public Health, and the Henry County Health Department, the initiative has received support from various organizations and businesses, including Walmart Health Center, Virtue Chiropractic, NEWSole Running, Black Men Run, Henry County Parks and Recreation, McDonough Moms, Caribbean Association of Georgia, Bennett Family of Companies, and Kulani Derm & Wellness Spa.
McDonough Moms sponsored the most recent walk in July. Everyone is invited to the group’s next walk at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 3). Jonesboro Road Park is across from ALDI (450 Jonesboro Road), with the entrance accessible from Jonesboro Road heading south towards Kroger.
Williams and Mayor Vincent are working to include an education component on topics such as diabetes, heart disease, smoking cessation, and women’s health with each month’s walk. They are also exploring other ways to grow the community walking concept, including reaching out to neighborhood associations, churches, and businesses to start health and wellness programs.
“I invited my neighborhood’s Facebook group to walk, and one neighbor showed up with her baby,” Williams said. “It may have just been the three of us, but seeing where it goes is exciting. As they say, ‘You grow where you’re planted.’”
Williams envisions neighborhood walks across McDonough meeting weekly for exercise and community-building, then gathering monthly at the Jonesboro Road Park trail.
Williams welcomes businesses, community groups, neighborhoods, and individuals to support the program. Opportunities include participating, sponsoring a monthly walk, organizing a neighborhood walk, or starting an employee wellness program. He is also seeking volunteers to serve on a committee to grow the initiative. Williams can be reached at (318) 572-8220 or maclin.d.williams@gmail.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Natalie Shelton
natalie.shelton@dph.ga.gov or 706.302.6707