New Dubois County Walking Paths Booklet free for the public

A new, full-color booklet outlining the walking paths in Dubois County is now available to the public free of charge. The Dubois County Walking Paths booklet lists 18 different paths throughout Dubois County including the location and distance of the path, as well as the surface and terrain, and if illumination, water fountains, restrooms, etc. are provided along the path.

Paths are as short as 1/3 of a mile and as long as 6½ miles and vary from flat and paved to rugged forest and hilly. One path in Jasper has an obstacle course to provide additional options for exercise.

The idea for the Walking Paths booklet came out of a meeting between Memorial Hospital staff and local government leaders in 2010. The group recognized a collective desire to improve the health of area residents, and it was determined that a first step could be encouraging people to build more physical activity into their daily lives. National statistics indicate that a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise is needed at least five days each week. In addition, it was mentioned that many people seem to be unaware of the numerous parks and walking paths in Dubois County. Since that meeting, Memorial Hospital staff researched the cost and requirements of publishing a booklet, found funding sources, and collected information about the walking paths from city and town officials. C Hall Illustration and Design and Woods Printing, Inc. were hired to provide the graphic design and printing expertise.

Financial sponsors of the booklet include Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center, Dubois County Community Foundation, Patoka Valley Health Care Cooperative, and Dubois County Tourism Commission.

The free booklets are available at Memorial Hospital’s Information Desk (800 West 9th Street in Jasper) and at Memorial Southside Office (1100 West 12th Avenue in Jasper). It’s also available at Dubois County Community Foundation, Dubois County Visitors Center, Jasper City Hall, Huntingburg City Hall, Ferdinand Town Hall, and Holland Town Hall.

For more information about the Dubois County Walking Paths Booklet, please contact Rita Howell, Memorial Hospital’s Director of Community Relations at 812/996-2323 or rhowell@mhhcc.org.