The group pauses for a quick photo before heading out on the trail.
By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter
On Thursday, the Sherborn COA walking club met in Holliston to go for a brief hike along the Holliston Rail Trail. Launched in August, the club meets every Thursday morning at ten o’clock, no matter what the weather is like.
“This is a hearty group,” Kristina from the Sherborn COA explained about the members she considers the club’s core membership. “They go in any weather. We’ve had rain and there have been times it’s been snowing on us, but we just dress for the weather.”
While they would have gone for their walk no matter the weather, the club couldn’t have asked for much better conditions on Thursday morning. The skies were clear, the temperature was just about a balmy sixty degrees, and there was a slight breeze. And while there was a bit of construction happening nearby, the trail was far from crowded with mostly cyclists and moms pushing baby carriages encompassing the rail trail’s primary users.
But while the weather may change, the club’s hiking path will not. When pressed on what they like so much about the rail trail, members brought up the terrain more than they did the scenery. One member pointed to the flatness of the trail, while another noted the surface, explaining: “Whatever they’ve used for the walking material is very nice to walk on. It’s not hard, there’s no bumps, so it makes it very easy.”
As for the distance, the group usually does about three and a half miles, walking forward down the trail until they turn around and walk back (the trail doesn’t loop). While none in the group had a dog with them, they said there was nothing against bringing a dog to walk - and Kristina herself said she is thinking about bringing her dog at some point.
But while her dog will add a body to the mix, Kristina is hoping to see the group grow. Because while she is happy to have the core group, she wants people to know there’s no commitment if they try it once and don’t like it, or just can’t make it every week.
“We have an email, also the COA director and I have coordinated this. We publicize it every week. The core group seems to grow. We seem to get new people periodically, but we’re hoping more will come. It doesn’t cost anything, and it’s really just a drop in thing, there’s no long-term commitment. But these are our regulars right here.”
If you’re looking to get some fresh air and meet some new people, the club is perfect for you. However, the Sherborn COA would like you to reach out before you go so that they can notify you in the rare case of cancellation.
