ORANGE PARK – In a heartwarming, heart-healthy display of community spirit, Clay County residents laced up their shoes last Saturday inside the Orange Park Mall for the weekly Florida Blue Healthy Walk.

Since its induction in August, the walk has become a staple for residents of all ages and fitness levels.

The program is the brainchild of Keena Lampkins and Robin Brown. Lampkins has 30 years of experience in exercise instruction and corrective exercise. She also owns Four Friends Fitness in Orange Park. She first connected with Kathryn Wills, the Clay Chamber of Commerce Vice President. From there, Lampkins collaborated with Robin Brown, a licensed state health insurance agent at Sunsure Insurance Solutions, an agent for Florida Blue.

“Today was so much fun. There are so many hilarious and interesting people in this group. I absolutely loved it,” Brown said last Saturday after the first walk of the new year.

The mall offers a safe, comfortable setting. It opens at 10 a.m. on Saturdays, the same time the walk begins at Sunsure near the AMC Theatre entrance. Mall officials unlock the doors for walkers two hours before opening during the week to allow walkers to complete their workouts before the crowds arrive.

“People walk at the mall all the time,” Brown said.

In a county with unpredictable weather, rainy days in the 953,000-square-foot roofed mall aren’t a concern.

“We never have to worry about the elements,” Lampkins said. 

The weekly walks started when Florida Blue launched the Health Council in Clay.

“We started to (host) the walks all the time because people are always walking at the mall. It’s an initiative we do to help the community,” she said.

The walkers loop around the food court, children’s play area and other landmarks like big-brand shops and stores. Afterward, they can watch movies, shop, eat and stimulate the local economy.

“We’re breaking a lot of barriers with this walk. You can bring your husband, grandmother, or teenager, even a child in a stroller,” Lampkins said.

“You’re making new connections and new friends. You’re networking and exercising, all at the same time.”

The unique structure of the circuit eliminates the need for gyms.

“We’re here to get active and stay moving, but we also want people to have a good time and be embraced. When people go to the gym, they can be worried that someone is looking at them or watching what they’re doing. You won’t have that problem here. We’re just walking, exercising, having fun and enjoying our time together as a community,” Brown said.

Lampkins and Brown said everyone is invited. All fitness levels are accommodated. Walking slowly is not an issue. The important thing is “taking steps” toward getting in shape.

“Robin is out front. She’s the pacesetter. I float around to make sure those not as fast still feel like they are part of the group,” Lampkins said.

Disabled residents in wheelchairs can be pushed by their guardian or caretaker and still work up a sweat by participating in dynamic stretching and arm exercises.

Lampkins doesn’t give anyone a break during the exercise program. The tough love coach played college basketball at Broward College before transferring to Jacksonville University to earn her Sports Medicine degree.

She said she works with anyone who needs help gaining pace.

“We always do a warm-up with a dynamic stretch and then walk one lap. Then we walk another lap and cool down. Over time, we’ve tightened up the training methods and processes. We have created a solid program with a (loyal and dedicated) base of participants. I just want to keep progressing with this group,” she said.

Stretching and exercising during the walk target specific muscles and muscle groups. 

“People are starting to notice us walking around the mall, and sometimes, they put down what they’re doing and start exercising with us. We want this to catch on. We want the community to feel empowered to join us,” Lampkins said.

To participate in the walks, please meet at the Sunsure office inside the mall at 10 a.m. or contact Brown at (904) 568-0728 or RobinBrown@Sunsure.me.