How to Start a Walking Group in Your Neighbourhood

Victorville residents along Bear Valley Road launched a neighborhood walking group on July 1 that now meets every Tuesday evening outside Mojave Narrows Regional Park.

City data shows participation in local wellness programs rose 18 percent last year, and residents cite rising summer heat plus limited indoor gym space as reasons to form small outdoor groups that require no membership fees.

Local routes already in use

One established group starts at the Victor Valley YMCA parking lot on Hesperia Road and covers a flat 3-mile loop through Spring Valley Lake before returning by 7:30 p.m. A second group gathers Sundays at 8 a.m. near the old train depot on Seventh Street in Old Town Victorville and follows the Mojave Riverwalk path for 45 minutes.

The American Heart Association tracked 2,400 adults in similar community programs during 2024 and found average daily steps increased from 4,800 to 7,200 within eight weeks, with organizers reporting zero permit costs for groups under 20 people when they register through the city’s online portal at least five days ahead.

Practical first moves

Pick a consistent day and time, then post a simple notice on the Victorville Parks and Recreation bulletin board at City Hall or share the details on the High Desert Wellness Facebook page. Bring a printed map of the chosen route and ask each walker to carry water; the city provides free refill stations at Mojave Narrows and along the riverwalk path. After the first walk, collect phone numbers on a sheet and send a group text confirming the next date, which keeps attendance steady without extra costs.

Groups that meet at least twice a month tend to last longer, according to the same 2024 tracking data, so start small and let word spread through neighbors on the same block before expanding.