Группа любителей ходьбы в Стэнфилде уложила 1,3 мили асфальтированной тропы

Stanfield group working to pave 1.3 mile walking path Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2026 STANFIELD — Walking enthusiasts have the Stanfield Public Library’s walking group to thank for the paving of a community path that runs through town. A couple years ago, the library partnered with Oregon Health & Science University’s School of Nursing on a Rural Libraries and Walking Study. The Stanfield library was one of several rural libraries in the state taking part in the study. The study was a two-year walking group project that looked at walkability in Stanfield and other libraries around the state. The Stanfield library recruited a diverse group of 19 community members to participate. “They decided that the gravel walking path through Stanfield would be important to pave to increase walkability in Stanfield,” Library Director Cecili Longhorn said. “If the walking path was paved it would be a safer place for all ages and abilities to walk safely in the community.” Longhorn said the effort is already paying off. “Numerous community members let us know that they really enjoy having the path paved,” Longhorn said. “This year we started working on paving the next section.” Longhorn said the walking group took the time to walk many areas of Stanfield and concluded that paving the current 1.3-mile gravel walking path would make the most impact on improving walkability in Stanfield. In March 2025, the group had a three-sided kiosk installed. “They wanted a kiosk for more information about what is available in Stanfield,” Longhorn said. In June 2025, three benches were placed along the path for resting stops along the way. First section paved in July 2025 Paving of the first 1,300 feet of the path began in July 2025 and was completed on Aug. 27, 2025. The cost was $28,400, paid for in part with grants from the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation and the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation. The rest of the funding came from OHSU and the city of Stanfield. Paving was completed on another 575 feet of the path in June 2026. Longhorn said the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation and the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation have each donated $10,000 to fund the next section of the path. When the project is completed, the walking group will have paved 6,811 feet of path. Longhorn said the goal is to connect the walking path to Ball Street. The city recently received a $250,000 grant to make improvements on the street, including a multi-use path on the north side of the road. Group touts benefits of walking The Stanfield Library Walking Group meets each Tuesday at 8 a.m. for their weekly walks. Aaron Sutton is one of the group’s original members and one of its most dedicated walkers. The 78-year-old has rarely missed a weekly walk. “The original idea was to get people in the community involved and get outside and walk,” Sutton said. “I like to get outside. It helps me keep in a little bit of shape.” Marcia Flemmer said she enjoys walking in the morning. “You feel good because you’re outside,” she said. “If you get out here early enough you can see a lot of animals. It’s really nice.” Michel Abney, a library employee and a member of the walking group, said the walks help her get some exercise and mingle with fellow walkers. “It’s just convenient,” Abney said. “You get to meet a lot of people.” Abney said she plans to encourage members of the walking group to bring plastic bags with them to pick up garbage along the route. Susan Bakewell Sachs, vice president of Nursing Affairs for OHSU, said in the forward to the Rural Walking and Libraries Study, that projects like Stanfield’s walking path have generated practical, community-driven solutions to improve health and social connectedness. “The pride and impact are evident in the descriptions of new and safer waling routes and signage, trail enhancements and accessibility upgrades,” she wrote. “Participating libraries also reported increased capacity to deliver public health programming, expanded community partnership, and sustained walking groups that are continuing beyond the study funding period.” The library has an online store featuring apparel that can be purchased. Proceeds will go toward additional paving of the path.