Walkers’ sole purpose comes with benefits of camaraderie

For the past decade, a small group of residents has been putting one foot in front of the other, building not just stamina but friendships along the way.

The Norman Park Sole Walkers, sponsored by the Norman Park Senior Center, will mark its 10th anniversary on Sept. 25 with a special gathering for current and past members.

The walking club began in September 2015 through a grant from UC San Diego and continued after the study ended in 2017.

Today, the group has 25 to 30 members ranging in age from their 60s to late 80s, including men and women, mostly from Chula Vista, with a few participants from Imperial Beach and Coronado.

“I’m one of the walkers in the walking club sponsored by Norman Park Senior Center,” said Joleen Molnar, who is helping organize the anniversary event. “A coach is provided by the center, and a calendar is put out monthly to tell us where to meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:45 a.m. The goal of the group is to walk and socialize for your physical and mental health.”

Members meet twice a week at different parks around the city, including the Marina, Heritage Park, Hilltop Park, Veterans Park, and Sweetwater Park. Walks typically last 30 to 40 minutes, followed by a casual coffee or meal with other walkers.

“To me, the best part of the group is the camaraderie,” Molnar said. “I moved here from Michigan, so I wanted to make friends. This group is very warm, friendly, welcoming, and loyal. When you read articles about aging, physical and mental health are very important, and this group provides both.”

The camaraderie extends beyond walking. Members celebrate birthdays, take trips to Balboa Park, go to movies and dinners together, and gather for seasonal events like summer and winter solstice sunsets.

“This is the first 10th anniversary event,” Molnar said. “We usually have a potluck every three months, with themes like baseball, Halloween, or luau. For this celebration on Sept. 25, we’ve invited current and past members, the mayor and a city councilperson, coaches from the initial UCSD program, and staff at Norman Park Senior Center. The invites have already been sent, and it’s a private event, so only those invited will attend. We’re expecting about 50 people. The center is helping with setup, and our members are chipping in to decorate and provide sides for the taco bar.”

Looking ahead, Molnar said the club plans to remain sponsored by the Norman Park Senior Center, providing a welcoming space for seniors to stay active and enjoy social connections.

“The future of the group is to stay sponsored by the Norman Park Senior Center. The program is for seniors to keep on walking for health and to have a positive social situation,” she said.

For now, the Norman Park Sole Walkers continue to stride through Chula Vista parks, celebrating 10 years of movement, friendship, and community.