Walk with U Program
Walk with U Program Heading link
Walk with U is a free program for community members to walk along with UW Health and University of Illinois College of Medicine physicians, residents and medical students.
• Learn about various health topics
• Try out different walking paths
• Get some exercise
• Earn rewards for participation
Upcoming Walk with U walks:
Date: Saturday, August 26, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Midway Village Recreation Path, 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford (Park in lot off Guildford Rd. not the main museum lot)
Register onsite (free)
Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Hononegah Forest Preserve, #80 Hononegah Rd., Rockton – Meet at Towering Pines Parking Lot (follow signs)
Hononegah is FPWC’s oldest preserve & one of its most popular. Located on the north bank of the Rock River & bisected by Dry Run Creek, Hononegah’s majestic woods make it a popular spot to enjoy fall color displays & woodland wildflowers in spring.
Register onsite (free)
1-mile or 1.25-mile walk: Mowed grass trail through woods and fields. Flat, easy to moderate walking. Views of the Rock River.
Dr. Thomas Schiller, a UICOMR clinical assistant professor and UW Health family medicine physician, will give some health tips and lead this walk.
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Rock River Recreation Path, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford (Meet at the Log Lodge)
Register onsite (free)
Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Colored Sands Forest Preserve & Bird Sanctuary, 10602 Haas Rd., Rockton (Meet at parking lot. No dogs please)
Register onsite (free)
303.9-acre Colored Sands Forest Preserve is known for its birds & the bird banding at Sand Bluff Bird Observatory. It offers panoramic views of the pristine Sugar River, unique geology & wonderful wildflowers. This preserve supports many plants & their associated wildlife, that are not found anywhere else in the county.
1-mile or 2.4-mile walk: Mowed grass trail through woods and prairie. Moderate hills. Easy to moderate walking.
Dr. Thomas Schiller, a UICOMR clinical assistant professor and UW Health family medicine physician, will give some health tips and lead this walk.
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Midway Village Recreation Path, 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford (Park in lot off Guildford Rd. not the main museum lot)
Register onsite (free)
Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Pecatonica Forest Preserve, 7260 Judd Rd., Pecatonica (Meet at parking lot – High View Shelter House. No dogs please)
An Illinois Dedicated Nature Preserve & one of the few spots in the county to have a mature black maple forest. Contains vast restored prairies, floodplain woods, oxbow ponds, and extensive river access. Home to pileated woodpeckers & bald eagles along the river.
1.5-mile walk: Mowed grass loop around the Nature Preserve, easy to moderate walking.
Register onsite (free)
Dr. Thomas Schiller, a UICOMR clinical assistant professor and UW Health family medicine physician, will give some health tips and lead this walk.
Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Headquarters Forest Preserve, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford. Meet at parking lot near entrance.
Home of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County administration office. A paved trail connects Sinnissippi Recreation Trails & loops a quarry pond. Restored prairie, wetland, & floodplain forest increases encounters w/ variety of birds, insects, & wildlife.
0.8-mile walk: Paved loop path through the prairie and around quarry pond. Easy walk with small inclines.
Register onsite (free)
Dr. Thomas Schiller, a UICOMR clinical assistant professor and UW Health family medicine physician, will give some health tips and lead this walk.