From InsideToronto.com

 

Tom Fiore wants to get people moving and exploring different areas of the GTA and beyond.

 

Fiore is the founder of Ontario Walks, a project of Momentum 1 - Community in Motion, a registered non-profit organization dedicated to helping activate communities and individuals in Ontario. He's kicking off his seventh year of helping people exercise their minds and bodies with the first walk at the Guild Inn.

"We try to pick walks across Ontario. I was down at the Guild Inn not long ago and I was reminded what a glorious place it is," he said. "There's a little magic happening there."

The launch of the Ontario Walks spring season happens on Sunday, April 19 with the walk at Guildwood Park.

Fiore thinks the setting will be a hit with the walkers as it embodies several different features since it's suburban, a park and it has the beautiful bluff setting.

"We try to find new places and keep people interested by exploring these little gems," he said.

Fiore is looking forward to seeing the looks on people's faces when they see the place for the first time.

As it is the launch event, the Guildwood walk features Scarborough-Guildwood MPP and Minister of Health Promotion Margarett Best.

The walkers are asked to meet at the Guild Inn property at 10 a.m. and the walk should begin at 10:30 a.m.

Fiore said their yoga instructor will lead everyone in some stretching to get them warmed up for the five-to-eight kilometre walk. The walk is able to accommodate people at all different fitness and mobility levels as one walk leader will go out in front a bit faster while another leads in the middle of the pack for those looking for a more moderate pace and in the rear there is a leader for those looking for a more leisurely, scenic walk.

"We're ready for everyone," Fiore said.

The walk takes between 90 minutes and two hours with participants being led around the property and then out into the neighbourhood and down around the Bluffs. People are advised to bring a hat, a snack, and to wear sensible footwear.

Fiore started walking while away on vacation visiting his in-laws and that sparked the idea.

"I love doing it. When I developed a love for it I thought it would be nice to have other people come along," he said.

He began with just one walk in Toronto seven years ago and within a few years the walks had become so popular there were six held in different locations on fall weekends. In the past three years he's been able to do six walks in the spring and six in the fall all around Ontario - from the Rouge River to London to Windsor to Tommy Thompson Park.

The Guildwood walk is free, as are all of the walks.

People are asked to register online at www.ontariowalks.com so they can be contacted in the event of any changes.

Although, he said, "we go rain or shine."