Week 1 Health Week

Walking helps sharpen brains, boost moods, strengthen bones, and enhance circulation, and maintain and lose weight.  Several of Middlesex County’s parks have installed fitness stations and trails.

So what are you waiting for?  Fitness stations and trails are available at

• Donaldson Park – Highland Park
• Thomas Edison Park – Edison
• Johnson Park – Piscataway
• Phillips Park – Old Bridge
• Roosevelt Park – Edison 
• Warren Park – Woodbridge​

We’d love to post your photos,  send them to: programs@kmm.org

 

Pictured here: Roosevelt Lake in Edison. Roosevelt Park is the oldest park in the Middlesex County Park System, dating back to 1917.  Set in the midst of a highly developed area, Roosevelt Park is our answer to New York City’s Central Park. Here park visitors can enjoy 196 acres of majestic trees complimented by a picturesque eight-acre lake just perfect for fishing. Roosevelt Park offers a multitude of special facilities to make it a perfect destination for day-trippers.

Imagine a situation in which a parent and child ride bicycles to a local establishment. They arrive and discover that there is no place to secure their bicycles. They may choose to leave bikes unattended to enter. Their next option is to search for a nearby post or fixture to secure their bikes and then return to the store. Or they may decide to go elsewhere entirely. Because of this experience, it becomes less likely that they will choose to ride bicycles to return to this location.

When planning residential or commercial spaces, plan for people. It’s important to include parking for people who ride bicycles. Three years before the 2020 bike-boom, the City of Perth Amboy and Healthier Perth Amboy recognized bicycling as a healthy way to move around the city. Together, they have installed new bicycle racks at seven locations with funding from New Jersey Health Initiatives. With bicycle parking available at these locations, people who ride bicycles feel accommodated and welcome. Community members can rely on these amenities and will be willing to return with their bikes for future trips.

Take the pledge

The fight to end distracted driving starts with you. Make the commitment to drive phone-free today.

• Protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving.
• Be a good passenger and speak out if the driver in my car is distracted.
• Encourage my friends and family to drive phone-free.

#justdrive

It’s that time of year to gear up for the annual Middlesex County Walk to School Day!

Join us and your neighboring communities in teaching children in Middlesex County the importance of walking safely, and the benefits of walking as a means to get places, exercise, and help the environment.

Last year, KMM helped organize successful walks in 28 Middlesex County schools and over 6,000 children participated.  I encourage you to sponsor a Walk to School Day on any day in October or on Wednesday, October 2nd for International Walk to School Day.

This October, share a photo from your journey to school. Think of the wonders of your neighborhood and show us what your favorite part of walking to school in October!

• The winner will receive a Safe Routes to School Prize Pack, which includes a bike bell, front/rear light set, and a helmet.
• The winner’s homeroom class will receive, stickers, pencils, and glow wristbands.
• Contest open to Fourth Grade through Eighth Grade students in Middlesex County.
• One entry per student.
• Original photographs must be submitted by emailing them at programs@kmm.org.
• Entries become the property of Keep Middlesex Moving.
• Entries must be submitted before November 1, 2020.

Drive Electric Week – Live Podcast!

KMM will be hosting a Live Podcast in recognition of the National Drive Electric Vehicle Week on Tuesday, September 29th at 7 pm.

Geared for those who are interested in purchasing electric vehicles, the 45 -minute podcast will feature Assemblyman Dan Benson NJ, and Tom Moloughney of Plug-In America.

To register: p1.pagewiz.net/EVPodcast

My Mobility Plan: My Mobility Plan is a tool created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help older adults remain active, safe, and independent as they age. The plan consists of three sections:

• Myself- How to stay independent by managing health and remaining mobile.
• My Home- How to stay safe at home which offers a checklist to ensure a safe environment
• My Neighborhood- A plan to ensure a person can continue to stay mobile around the community.

According to the CDC, older adults who make a plan are more likely to take action to protect their mobility and independence.

Why Have a My Mobility Plan?

• Falls and motor vehicle crashes, which are related to mobility, are the leading causes of injury and injury death in older adults.
• There are many negative outcomes for older adults if they stop driving or fall, including reductions in their health, social interaction, and the ability to get around.
• CDC developed this planning tool, using available scientific evidence, to help older adults plan for future mobility changes that might increase their risk for motor vehicle crashes and falls.
• Adult children or caregivers can also use this planning tool to help older parents, relatives, or friends.

To learn more, visit us online!

Our parks are for everyone. Our state, counties, and municipalities offer wonderful places for us to experience physical activity outdoors. These are spaces where children can play, wander, and imagine. Here are some tips on how you and your family can enjoy the outdoors and stay safe.

Senses make memories.

• Sight
• Sound
• Smell
• Touch
• Taste

Our senses allow us to experience and connect to places in ways that are personal and unique. When people imagine their own neighborhood, the distinctive features that remind them of home, can be different from their neighbors. One person thinks of the aroma of a restaurant around the corner, while a neighbor may be reminded of the sounds of children playing at the local playground.

Trails vary in size.  While enjoying the parks, trails, boardwalks, remember not to crowd each other. Give everyone enough space so they feel comfortable, and the only people within 6-feet from you are people that are in your household. Trails can have sections that are just narrow enough for a single person, and a variety of plants can cause discomfort, i.e. poison ivy. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings. Take advantage of a clearing if someone is approaching on a narrow trail.

Biking in Face Masks.  Masks and physical distancing has been effective in decreasing the spread of COVID-19. As the temperatures and humidity rise, wearing masks can become uncomfortable. When stopped, your breath will create a warmer environment within the mask. Thankfully, when riding a bike, you may find relief as the air is forced into the mask as you breathe and move forward. Bring a backup mask on humid days. In the coming weeks, as the humidity rises, it can become more challenging for moisture to evaporate and make it challenging to get enough oxygen.

Share the Trail. Our parks are for everyone and trail etiquette is essential. Everyone should feel welcome, comfortable, and not crowded. Imagine that our trails can be used similarly to roads. When traveling, keep to the right. Oncoming trail users would have space to move in the opposite direction, and people and bikes who are moving more quickly can pass on your left side. When passing other trail users, give them  warning by ringing your bike bell or by calling out, “Passing on the left.”

Masks, gloves, pet waste and other litter should not be left behind. If you are bringing food, or drinks to the park, pack up all of your garbage and dispose of them when you leave. This is what it means to “Carry in. Carry out.” Plastics are carried by stormwater and storm drains and can travel to other bodies of water.

Lastly, always check yourself, your children, and pets for ticks when you get home.

Be safe and enjoy your time outdoors.

It’s important for all members of the family to stay physically active. With the freedom to exercise in our neighborhoods, we can still enjoy the outdoors by walking, running, and riding bicycles. With fewer cars on the road, this could be the safest time to ride. In New York and other cities, people are choosing bicycles over buses and subway cars to maintain safe physical distance from other commuters. New Jersey recognizes bicycles as a healthy transportation option and has declared bicycle shops are an essential resource during this public health crisis.

Keep Middlesex Moving has reached out to the bike shops in, and around, Middlesex County to learn how they are continuing to serve their communities. Like the restaurants, supermarkets, and other establishments, local bike shops have tailored their operations to safely provide services while maintaining the precautions of 6 feet between their staff and their customers.

Bicycle repair and maintenance services are offered at each of our local shops. You can expect a shop to have curbside dropoff and pickup. Most stores are operating on an adjusted schedule, and business continues to ramp up as the weather continues to improve. Each store’s volume varies. Depending on the type of service you need on your bike, the wait can range from 1 to 14 days.

All of the shops offer retail sales online and over the phone. Customers can still purchase a bicycle, components, and accessories and arrange curbside pickup, however, many have closed their showrooms and are not offering test rides. It’s a good idea to see what’s offered at the shop via their website and to contact the shop directly with any questions.

To assist you and all of our local bike shops, KMM has compiled a Database of the shops in and around  Middlesex County. This resource provides each store’s modified hours, contact information, and retail operations.

Click here for the shops mapped.