How to Start a Walking Group in Your Sacramento Neighborhood

This summer, neighbors in Land Park are gathering twice a week for early morning walks, part of a growing trend in Sacramento neighborhoods. Group walking events, popping up from East Sacramento to Meadowview, are turning once-quiet sidewalks into lively, connection-building routes-and you could start the next group on your street.

Interest in community fitness options has soared in Sacramento over the past two years, driven by a desire for live, social wellness after several digitally focused pandemic years. According to Sacramento Steps Forward, a local nonprofit, outdoor fitness gatherings rose by 38% in 2025 compared to three years earlier. Public health officials say walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise, requiring little equipment and offering significant benefits-not just for physical health but also mental wellbeing and neighborhood cohesion. With recent reports highlighting loneliness across the country, including among all age groups, neighbors are turning to regular walks as a way to meet others and reset their routines.

Where to Walk-and How to Get Started

Two Sacramento programs have paved the way. WalkSacramento, a local advocacy group, regularly hosts community walks throughout Midtown and Oak Park, and offers a downloadable toolkit for residents aiming to start their own group. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Parks and Recreation Department supports walking clubs through venues like William Land Park and the American River Parkway. In Curtis Park, the Sierra 2 Center’s "Walk & Talk" club has nearly doubled its size in the past year, attracting both longtime locals and newcomers.

Starting a group is simpler than many expect. Pick a starting location-think of the shaded loop at McKinley Park or the bike-and-pedestrian friendly trail at Sutter’s Landing. Post on Nextdoor, your neighborhood Facebook group, or visit your local library (the Central Library on I Street has a community events corkboard) to spread the word. Most walking groups rotate between 30-45 minute routes, meeting at consistent times, such as Monday and Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Within a few weeks, organizers see attendance grow as word gets around-WalkSacramento reports an average of 11-17 walkers per group for new clubs in 2026.

The Data: Walking Together Works

Statewide, walking ranks as the most common form of exercise, with the California Department of Public Health reporting that 62% of Sacramento County adults walked for at least 30 minutes, three times per week in 2025. Notably, participation gaps narrowed last year, with North Sacramento and South Natomas neighborhoods adding four new weekly walking groups between February and June 2026, according to city records. It costs little to join or organize a group-flyers at local print shops run as low as $10 for fifty, and basic reflective gear can be purchased at Fleet Feet Sacramento on J Street for as little as $12. City officials encourage group leaders to register their events with the Sacramento Parks Department if they expect more than 20 attendees, but for smaller gatherings, no permits are necessary.

For those worried about safety, the Sacramento Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Unit can offer guidance on safe hours and suggested routes, especially in busy areas like Del Paso Boulevard or after sundown. Group leaders are encouraged to plan routes with good lighting and accessible sidewalks, and to check air quality using the local AQI (Air Quality Index) apps before setting off during wildfire season.

As Sacramento’s social calendar heats up this July, would-be organizers can look to next month’s "Sacramento Walks Together" event-a citywide series of group walks beginning August 15 across eight neighborhoods, including South Land Park and Natomas Park. Until then, there’s no reason to wait: pick a park, set a time, spread the word, and take those first community-building steps right outside your door.