Published on April 11, 2025
Spring Into Step With Warmer Weather
By Nick Jones, for the Messenger-Inquirer Mind & Body Column
Spring is the perfect time to start taking advantage of the sunshine and warmer weather (if we don't keep getting this crazy weather we've been getting!). We all know getting outdoors and exercising is great for our physical well-being and mental health. With this in mind, I really wanted to talk about a great amenity that Owensboro has to offer—the David C. Adkisson Greenbelt Park.
The Greenbelt is a shared-use path that links several neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and parks throughout our great city of Owensboro. The current trail totals approximately 17 miles, meaning you can access it almost anywhere in the city. The nice thing about all this is that there are several parking spots to access this, no matter what side of Owensboro you are on. Several parks have spaces to access – Jack C Fisher, Russell Shifley, Yewell Heritage, and Horse Fork Creek – and other areas, such as the GRADD Office, Higdon Road, Miller's Mill Road, and Lagoon Lane. The young ones can take advantage of the play areas at both Jack C. Fisher and Horse Fork Creek – with a pretty cool spray park (Free of charge!) at Horse Fork.
Activities like walking, running, skating, and casual biking are all encouraged on the Greenbelt. The great thing about this trail is that it is quiet and safe to be on, besides crossing some streets/roads. Another positive note is that it takes you through various areas of Owensboro that are beautiful to look at and enjoy. The Joe Ford Nature Center is a cool spot to check out right by the GRADD parking area, as well as several small ponds and creeks throughout the entire trail. When I am on the Greenbelt, I feel as if I am away from everything and can focus on the exercise I am engaging in. Walking is one of the safest and most beneficial activities you can do, as it increases heart health, tones muscles, enhances energy and even boosts your immune system. If you can increase the intensity, running or jogging is just as good, if not better. With that being said, any activity where you can increase your heart rate for an extended period of time is great – just be sure they are activities that you can do safely and have no restrictions.
Always remember to practice safety when utilizing the Greenbelt. Be mindful of others when using the trails, dress according to the weather, stay hydrated and don't forget the sunscreen (especially when you are bald like me!)
I forgot to mention one more thing above that is a must for any animal lover—yes, you can bring your pets! Exercise is just as important for them as it is for us! Just ensure they are on a five-foot or less leash, and you clean up after them! Like I said above, we want to make this safe and enjoyable for everyone. I hope to see you all out and about!
Nick Jones is the Fitness Supervisor of Owensboro Health Healthpark.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.