Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
By Linda Hildonen,
Schooner Estates
As people get older, they may find it hard to stay active. Energy levels fall, they can become more prone to injury and the active exercises and hobbies participated in during younger days can become unappealing or even daunting. Full-contact sports and long-distance runs may be very impractical options for older adults. Luckily, there’s one form or exercise that is low-impact, highly accessible, and can get you where you need to go — walking.
Walking has plenty of benefits for people of all ages, including weight management, improved circulation, lowered blood pressure and improved posture and balance. Best of all, it will help your mood and outlook. The Oxford Hills area has some of Maine’s best walking trails, so take advantage of the spring weather and get outside. Here are some of the area’s best sites to go walking:
Cornwall Nature Preserve in Paris — Once a beautiful farmstead featuring barns, orchards, fields and an ice house, this 147-acre plot now holds some of the loveliest wooded scenery in the area. There are several different trails to explore, and most are easy to walk and appropriate for the whole family. Be advised — hunting is allowed on the preserve, so visitors during hunting season should wear the appropriate safety attire.
Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway –Another former farm, consisting of 165 acres, is maintained by the Western Foothills Land Trust. The preserve is situated south of Lake Pennesseewassee, offering beautiful views of the lake and nearby mountains. Trails are named for many of the community’s most beloved former residents, such as Dunham trailer for showshoe craftsman and longbow fiddler Mellie Dunham, whose firm outfitted Admiral Peary for his Arctic expedition.
Staying active as we age doesn’t have to be a chore. Getting out and walking a few times a week will help to keep you going for many years to come. With these trails, and so many more to see in the Oxford Hills area, you’ll want to be able to enjoy them for as long as possible.
Linda Hildonen is the marketing associate at Schooner Estates, 200 Stetson Road, Auburn, a senior living community providing older adults a place to live and thrive, whether they are fully independent or require some daily assistance.
