Shorewalkers: Members Only Group

Please take a moment to read the information regarding Sunday’s event in the Comment section below.

Though the body we move in nature, with our mind/consciousness we are part of nature.

MINDFULNESS - the practice of maintaining a nonjudgemental state of heighted or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.

MINDFUL WALKING - a practice that enhances mental clarity and reduces stress by fostering a deep connection with the present moment (the here and now) through awareness of each individual step and the Sight, Sound and Smell of the surrounding environment.

Please read the below information carefully and take the time to view the myriads of videos available that explain the concept of Mindful Walking.

Let me begin by thanking you for accompanying me on a work in progress to develop a methodology for teaching and leading a Mindful Walking workshop, my goal is to guide/lead the novice through an unfamiliar or complex procedure in a step-by-step process so that they can attain a basic level of skill and knowledge in the practice of Mindful Walking. Upon entering "Brooklyn's Jewel" the stunningly beautiful Prospect Park, we will commerce with a breathing and exercise session followed by several training practice walks that will introduce the attendees to the techniques of Mindful Walking.

For the remainder of our Prospect Park adventure, we will alternate long bouts of conversation flowing walking sessions with shorter bouts of silent guided Mindful Walking sessions. The route that we will follow will include specific areas of the park of such stunning scenic beauty (in every season of the year) that will inspire and uplift all who attend.

Because of the workshop nature of this event, I will limit the number of attendees to ten (10) people. My future vision for this method of training is to present many workshops for first-timers, mixed with separate events for those adepts with the Mindful Walking concept. Furthermore, I will expand the range of this event to scenic natural locations (including waterside venues) around the Greater New York area.

We will exit Prospect Park by the Grand Army Plaza entrance. The nearest Subway Station will be the Grand Army Plaza Station of the #2 and #3 Trains.

Will be walking at a moderate (not slow) pace. The walk will last three and a half hours and will cover about 5 miles. There will be ample restrooms stops and a thirty-minute lunch break.

Heavy rain/snow or other forms of extreme weather will cancel the walk. Please check this site for updates.

LEADER: Bob Lazzaro email: rlazzaro4@aol.com.

I will use a voice amplification device to foster better understanding and clarity between myself and attendees.

• **Please review the event details and answer the sign-up question properly. With frequent NJ Transit delays, plans may change. The 'Going' list will be confirmed closer to the event date after checking transit status. Please check my upcoming comments for any changes to the start or end locations.

Distance: 10-11 miles. no easy drop out point
Speed: 2.5- 3.0 mph, to some people maybe a brisk / athletic walk.

• PLEASE do consider your own capability to determine if this hike really suit you. I’m keeping the group to about 10-15 people for better safety and coordination. Also, please remember to pack your own lunch!

This 10-mile route highlights the historic Weequahic and Kean University area, featuring the 80-acre Weequahic Lake and its 1668 boundary site at Divident Hill. The area is a mix of Olmsted-designed parklands, 1920s Tudor architecture, and Revolutionary-era landmarks like the 1772 Liberty Hall Museum. The path follows the Elizabeth River Parkway, offering a scenic greenway that connects urban history with expansive university grounds and historic residential corridors.

MEET:
Meet on the platform of North Elizabeth train station
From NYC- by NJ Trainsit
10:05 AM Depart NEW YORK PENN STATION
10:33 AM Arrive North Elizabeth
End: Newark Penn Station - Raymond Plaza between Raymond Blvd and Market Street. 1 Block east of Rt. 21 (McCarter Hwy.), Newark, NJ, 7102

Please bring enough water, lunch, and sunscreen.
Violet 732.447.3275
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Reminders

1. Read Before Signing Up: For safety and smooth operation, please read the entire hike description carefully. You will be prompted with a question during RSVP—please read it attentively and answer correctly to join.
2. Drop Early: If your plans change, cancel immediately. Do not wait until the day before or the morning of the hike. Holding a spot without genuine intention to attend directly impacts your eligibility for future events.
3. Waitlist Policy: Priority is given to reliable hikers. Everyone remains on the waitlist until responses are confirmed. You may be passed over if you have a history of late cancellations and no-shows, or fail to demonstrate a commitment to group punctuality, maintaining the shared pace, and cooperating with team coordination. Waitlisted members who are fully committed may PM me to express interest; additions are conditional and subject to host discretion.
4. Stay Updated: Weather and train/bus schedules are subject to unexpected changes. Please check the comments and pinned updates the night before and the morning of the hike.

Join us for a 26-mile walk that follows the NYC Marathon route from Bay Ridge to the finish line in Central Park, two days before the actual marathon. This will not be one of Shorewalkers’ scenic hikes, but it is the route of the prestigious NYC marathon that attracts people from all over the world.

While the NYC marathon traverses all five boroughs of the city, we will have to skip Staten Island, since we won’t be able to get on the Verrazano Bridge, where the marathon starts. But we will follow the exact route through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan, with a few detours to get to restrooms. The walk will be entirely on city streets, mostly flat, except for the bridges we will cross. We will walk along Fourth Avenue through Bay Ridge, Sunset Park and Park Slope into downtown Brooklyn, then along Lafayette Avenue with its beautiful brown stones, to and along Bedford Avenue, through the Hasidic neighborhood of Williamsburg to its hipster part north of the Williamsburg Bridge, to Greenpoint, over the Pulaski Bridge to Long Island City, over the Queensborough Bridge into Manhattan and along First Avenue up to the Willis Avenue Bridge into the Bronx and back into Manhattan over the Madison Avenue Bridge, and finally down Fifth Avenue to Central Park and the finish line at Tavern on the Green.

We will walk about 26 miles (probably a bit more, due to detours to get to restrooms), at a brisk pace (3 mph) throughout the walk, from beginning to end. There won’t be time for longer breaks, so please bring snacks you can munch on during the walk. We will have a short 10-15 minute lunch break at McCarren Park in Greenpoint.

Restrooms: Inside the final R train stop, Bay Ridge-95 St before exiting the station (they are surprisingly clean); Shore Road Park close to the Verrazano Bridge, 0.5 miles from the meeting point (these restrooms are supposed to open at 8:00 a.m. but often are not, in which case we will have to improvise); Green-Wood Cemetery, at about 5 miles; Underwood Park, at about 8 miles; Bedford Playground, at about 9 miles; McCarren Park, at about 11 miles; TJ Maxx Manhattan, at about 16.5 miles; St. Catherine Playground, at about 17.5 miles; Lozada Playground in the Bronx, at about 19 miles; Central Park north, at about 21.5 miles; and at the finish at Tavern on the Green. Note that the restrooms in playgrounds usually close at 4 PM, so the ones in Manhattan and the Bronx may not be available if we get there after that time.

Hike Leaders: Brigitte, 646-651-3911; Laura, 917-658-6779; Maureen, 718-954-1581, on day of walk only.