They chatted, laughed and gave each other piggyback rides, but most of all, they were active.  

After lunches and during recesses, students can now spend time walking around the new walking trail at Lakeview Elementary School.

“It helps us get good exercise and not be weighed down by our food,” said sixth-grader Selena Dooley.

Lakeview added the route to its playground over the summer, giving students a place where they can both socialize and exercise after lunch and during recess.

“The playground equipment is not as exciting when you’re a fifth or sixth-grader, but socializing really is, and this is a way to get them to socialize and be active at the same time,” said Lakeview Principal Jean Jordan.

The idea stemmed from the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project. Jordan hopes walking groups form that are similar to the Blue Zones walking moais. Physical education teacher Jane Hanson said she’s trying to form a mileage club, and there could be incentives for students that walk. The walking clubs will tally how many miles or laps students walk on the path.

The trail also ties into the theme of a Lakeview families group that meets every other week and has a Blue Zones theme this year.

The path won’t be used just during recess and after lunch, as teachers can bring their classes out to the path.

“A teacher yesterday, that’s what she did for her break. She needed a break, and they went out and walked the path,” Jordan said.

Jordan also said if a child misbehaves, teachers could have them walk a few laps on the trail to burn energy. Jordan said this wouldn’t be a punishment, but it would encourage students to use energy in a positive way.

The walking trail is located on the northwest side of the school on a hill overlooking Fountain Lake. An adult is always outside with the students, and part of the trail is fenced in. The trail is made of woodchips that were laid by Shinefest and then by Lakeview staff.

“It’s a lot better than blacktop. Blacktop is really hard,” said sixth-grader Lyric Farrell.

Farrell and Dooley said some of the sticks get caught in their shoes. Some students picked up larger sticks from the trail and piled them by a tree. 

The students have used the trail in Hanson’s physical education classes. Hanson said the walking trail ties in with a change in the physical education field.

“Phy ed is changing and it’s focusing on wellness and fitness instead of teaching basketball and softball. It’s more, to teach the students to come up with their own fitness plan for how to stay in shape,” Hanson said.

Students said they like having the option to do something other than playing sports, and Jordan said this is a positive thing to offer students.

“I didn’t really like competitive sports when I was a kid. I would have loved that, where I can walk and talk at the same time,” said Jordan.

The path is open to the public, and Jordan hopes parents and teachers will utilize the path outside of school. Jordan said some parents said they plan to use the path when their child is using the playground equipment.

“I like it a lot. It’s cool,” said sixth-grader Tyler Brooks.