Duncan Park Walk was like Visiting an Old Friend

By: Tom Crabtree | News Channel 7
Published: April 28, 2009 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment

The 2009 "Walk for Babies" Spartanburg fundraiser for the March of Dimes was held this past Saturday (4/25).

I was one of the emcees and one of the walkers.

For me, it was like visiting an old friend.

That friend was Duncan Park.

It was the place where my wife and I strolled our daughters when they were babies. It's where I did most of a 10-mile run when I turned 40 (just to prove I could). My band had even played a gig at the ballpark years ago. Once I even tossed a "first pitch" at a game.

For many years, the starting point for the walk was the historic baseball stadium at Duncan Park. More recently the walk had started at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center or Barnet Park.

By using Duncan Park, the March of Dimes helped the estimated 3000 walkers reacquaint themselves with the park.

There were two routes. One was 3.5 miles, the other 2.5 miles.

I decided to go through the 3.5 mile route twice.

I paid for it with a badly blistered little toe on my right foot.

But what I gained (in addition to great exercise) was priceless.

I'd forgotten what beautiful homes line much of the park. People were in their yards, mowing the grass, spreading seed and planting flowers. The trees were tall and majestic.

The City of Spartanburg had done a great job getting the park ready. The grass was clipped, the ballfields were manicured, and at least prior to the walk, there was little trash.

The route for the walk was totally within the park. The walkers didn't have to worry about dodging cars. Spartanburg police in cars and on bicycles watched each intersection.

It provided a bit of a nature lesson too. I saw dozens of turtles sunning themselves on fallen tree trunks in the lake. There were geese too.

And the weather was nothing short of magnificent.

When I finished my seven miles shortly before 11 a.m., my feet were killing me, but the country boy in me had enjoyed quite a day.

I won't let another year go by before I enjoy a warm day's brisk walk through Duncan Park again.