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, May 27, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Rock River Recreation Path, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford (Meet at the YMCA Log Lodge)
Register onsite (free)
Cardiologist Dr. Jeff Smith, head of the Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, will provide some health tips and lead the walk. Medical students will also assist with the walk that is either 1 mile or 2 miles on paved, flat trail along the river.
Date: Saturday, June 3, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Oak Ridge Forest Preserve, 8322 Blomberg Rd., Cherry Valley (Meet at parking lot)
Scenic forest preserve boasts beautiful views of Kishwaukee River, lovely old oak groves & restored prairie. Canoe ramp provides convenient access to south branch of Kishwaukee River. Prairie, sedge meadow, & flood plain forest make it an ideal spot to enjoy nature’s serenity & view a variety of wildlife.
1.4-mile or 2.25-mile walk: Mowed grass trail and dirt trail, some inclines and uneven ground. Through prairie, woodlands, and wetlands. Includes a water crossing, feet may get wet! Easy to moderate walking.
Register onsite (free)
Date: Saturday, June 24, 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)
1.4-mile walk: Paved, flat loop around Guilford County Forest Preserve
Register onsite (free)
Date: Saturday, July 8, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Deer Run Forest Preserve, 5691 River Rd., Cherry Valley (Meet at parking lot)
675.6-acre Deer Run offers over 7 miles of hiking & equestrian trails. It offers a mosaic of high-quality prairie, river & floodplain forest natural areas. This preserve is aptly named; deer are often seen here & its diverse habitat makes it prime for wildlife viewing.
1.2-mile or 2.5-mile walk: Mowed grass and dirt trail through woods. Primarily flat, 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, July 22, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Rock River Recreation Path, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford (Meet at the Log Lodge)
1-mile or 2-mile walk: Paved, flat, out-and-back along the Rock River. Starting from YMCA lodge to Rockford symbol and back is 2 miles total.
Register onsite (free)
Date: Saturday, August 5, 2023
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Location: Kieselburg Forest Preserve, 5801 Swanson Rd., Roscoe ( Meet at Red Cedar Shelter parking lot — far end of driveway)
Kieselburg Forest Preserve is primarily a flat & open piece of land with some wooded areas. It is the site of one of FPWC’s largest prairie restoration projects. Kieselburg showcases several types of habitat.
1-mile or 1.25-mile walk: Mowed grass trail through prairie, primarily flat, easy walking.
Register onsite (free)
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.
