GONZALES — Nearly 40 Gonzales residents participated in last Wednesday’s Blue Zones Project community walk that started at Central Park.
Walkers began the activity with a group stretch and then trekked to the Gonzales Community Garden, followed by a return trip back to the park.
Blue Zones Project Monterey County has been providing healthy activities in Gonzales since the fall of 2022.
“They (Blue Zones Project) have been a great support system by providing classes in the community,” said Jessica Olmeda, recreation coordinator/administrative analyst for the City of Gonzales. “They have been very active in our community garden and actually donated the garden beds that are there. We are really happy to see the community members that are taking advantage of all the activities that Blue Zones brings to Gonzales.”
Recently, Monterey County became the first county in California to become Blue Zones certified. A weeklong of activities, including the Sept. 10 walk in Gonzales, was planned throughout the region to celebrate this accomplishment.
According to Tony Vargas, an organizational lead for Blue Zone Project Monterey County, the City of Gonzales and other cities in South Monterey County contributed in getting the state certification.
“Gonzales was a part of getting the county certified with programs being offered at the Taylor Farms clinics and at the local schools,” Vargas said. “We’ve offered Zumba, Pilates here in Gonzales, and today we are having a community walk.”
