We Walk PHL
1501 John F Kennedy Blvd
Philadelphia
May 1, 2026
I love the freedom and sense of independence that cycling grants me, and the moments of peace, reflection, and observation I get from taking public transportation. But walking is by far my favorite form of travel; it offers all those advantages and so much more. It may be the slowest way to go, but that’s part of what I love about it: the opportunity to slow down and really take in my surroundings. Reading an event flyer on a light post; smelling the freshly bloomed flowers of spring; taking a photo of a silly license plate — these are some of the little joys I cherish most when commuting on foot. Admittedly I am more of a solo-walker, but this past Friday I attended my first walking group, "We Walk PHL," a collaborative effort between Fairmount Park Conservancy, The Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.
The kickoff of the We Walk PHL spring season began at Love Park with opening words from Philly Public Health Comms Director James Garrow and Walk Leader Nicole Seahorn Hameen, celebrating ten years of a program that began with just one group in Hunting Park and has since expanded to almost 30 locations across the city. Even before it was mentioned by the speakers, it was clear that enduring friendships had grown from these weekly walking gatherings as attendees greeted each other with warmth and familiarity. Leader Hameen thanked both newcomers and veterans of the program for coming out and setting a good example for the next generation of walkers by simply showing up and being willing to walk together.
The speakers acknowledged the obvious physical benefits of walking regularly and emphasized how important the activity is to our mental health. They noted that May 1 was the first day of Mental Health Awareness month, and how mental health issues disproportionately affect Black women, who made up the overwhelming majority of participants present. Many of the women in attendance were a part of the very first We Walk PHL group.
I briefly spoke with one of these We Walk veterans, Rosa, who explained the significance of the blue head bands that some of the walkers were wearing. The Hunting Park walking group, which does walks year round, dons these fuzzy headpieces to make it easier to find each other if they get lost among the crowd or in the middle of unsavory weather conditions. It's a small gesture that exemplifies the feeling of community and togetherness that these walking groups have come to foster.
The celebratory walk began with a lap around the historic Love Park before heading up the parkway to the Franklin Institute for a group photo then turning back. With a group this large, there were frequent stops to make sure no one got left behind and that everyone was safe. The overwhelming themes of joy and community continued until the very end when the group joined together in celebration for the birthday of regular walker, Brenda, as they serenaded her with Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday."
I left the We Walk event filled with pride and awe of how this community has come together and created something so beautiful from something as simple as taking a walk. We Walk approaches walking with no goal other than light physical activity and togetherness. There has been much talk for the need of more "third spaces" and these women have found it outside, and with each other.
Click here to learn more about We Walk PHL and to find a group near you!
