The CMT Ten Toe Express® program got its start back in 2007 and has since introduced more than 8,000 individuals to the region’s transit system. The program links MetroBus, MetroLink, and your own Ten Toes to promote mobility, socialization, and personal health.
A walk typically begins with the volunteer Walk Leader and attendees meeting at a MetroLink stop, taking public transit to a planned destination, and then spending time together walking in a unique or interesting setting. Popular walk destinations have included Forest Park, many different Great Rivers Greenways, and historic tours of towns like Belleville, IL and Lebanon, IL.
As a Walk Leader, you may lead anywhere from 3-12 walks during the spring and fall sessions. Each session lasts 12 weeks, with the spring session starting in April and the fall session in late August.
Being a volunteer Walk Leader is a great opportunity for anyone interested in building community and sharing their unique knowledge about the region. Volunteer Walk Leaders plan where their walks will take place, how attendees can use public transit to access the destination, and even where people might go for an impromptu snack or lunch afterwards!
Mary Blaies of the St. Clair County Office on Aging in Belleville, IL has been a Walk Leader since 2015. Mary tells us, “I like being a Walk Leader since I can visit new places without the traffic and parking of a big city and show seniors how to navigate the system and feel empowered to stay independent.”
For those not familiar with our region’s public transit system, using it for the first time can be intimidating. By participating in the CMT Ten Toe Express® program, you are shown the system by experienced users and can become comfortable using it yourself, whether you use it to go to work, to medical appointments, or to visit friends and family.
CMT staff are here to help new Walk Leaders with the initial planning process as you become more comfortable with it. If you are interested in learning more about what it means to be a Walk Leader, please reach out to Karen Troxell at ktroxell@cmt-stl.org.