Duck Pond Path Joins Smartphone Application

April 25, 2011

North Florida Regional Medical Center Hospital’s Duck Pond Path Joins Smartphone Application

Gainesville, FL – As part of its continuing commitment to heart healthy lifestyles, North Florida Medical Center (NFRMC) has registered its Duck Pond walking path with the American Heart Association’s new Walking Path smartphone application. 

As a part of an ongoing hospital-wide effort to combat cardiovascular disease, NFRMC is encouraging employees and visitors to find 30 minutes a day to walk to improve their heart health. The Duck Pond walking path reflects NFRMC’s commitment to helping the community decrease their risk of developing heart disease. 

“North Florida Healthcare is very pleased to be take a leadership role as the host of both the 2010 and 2011 Alachua County Heart Walk events and to participate in associated events like the recent Start! Walking Day,” said Matt Davis, Chief Operating Officer at North Florida Healthcare. “We value the health and well-being of our employees, and we’re thrilled to encourage healthy behavior in our community as well. Together with the American Heart Association, we are making positive strides to improve the health of our residents.”

The Duck Pond walking path at NFRMC joins the more than 2,500 American Heart Association-designated walking paths across the country. Five laps around the Duck Pond is one mile and can be walked in about 20 minutes. The Walking Path application is available on GPS-enabled Android smartphones. The app is free and allows users to find safe and centrally located walking paths nearby.  App users can also tag and ‘like’ paths or even create and then save favorite walking paths using their smartphone’s GPS function as they walk.  

In celebration of this month’s National Start! Walking Day, NFRMC urges Gainesville residents to walk 30 minutes a day. Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week,such as very brisk walking, improves circulation, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels and promotes weight loss. Visit the Duck Pond at NFRMC and commemorate the designation of the American Heart Association’s Walking Path. 

“Nearly 67 percent of Americans are overweight or obese and at risk for heart complications and stroke from a sedentary life,” said Ward Boston, Chief Executive Officer at North Florida Healthcare. “With tools like the American Heart Association’s new smartphone app and thousands of walking paths designated around the country, walking is easier and more convenient than ever before.”