At its simplest, We Walk PHL is exactly what it sounds like: people coming together to walk.
But behind that simplicity is a structured community program that connects residents to local parks and trails, encourages regular movement, and creates space for social connection outdoors. Walks are led by trained volunteers known as We Walk Leaders: people who help guide groups safely through local green spaces while keeping the experience welcoming and accessible.
Fiona McCoy, a We Walk Leader, shares her experience with the We Walk PHL Program.
What Is We Walk PHL?
We Walk PHL is a partnership between Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. The free program introduces people to parks in their own neighborhoods through guided group walks. It’s designed to be open to everyone, regardless of fitness level or experience, and to use walking as a way to support both physical and social wellbeing.
As Fiona explains, walkers join for a wide range of reasons: “It’s a great initiative if you’re looking to start your weight loss journey, or you want to be healthy, or you want to just meet your neighbor.”
The Role of a We Walk Leader
We Walk Leaders are the backbone of the program. They organize and guide walks, help create a welcoming group environment, and often serve as the bridge between participants and the local landscape.
Fiona was first introduced to the program through a flyer at a trailhead. Later, she met the Conservancy’s Education and Engagement Specialist Nicole Hameen, who leads We Walk PHL and encouraged Fiona to get involved. Fiona learned that she was already the kind of person the program wanted—someone who loves walking and being outside.
More Than Just a Walk
The outcomes of this simple program are often unexpected and even profound. Fiona recalls one moment at Pennypack on the Delaware.
“There were two ladies who lived not too far from each other. As they were talking, they found out that they went to high school together! So 60 years later, they resurfaced and became friends again.”
These kinds of moments, Fiona says, are what make the program feel like more than an exercise group. Walks create space for conversation, connection, and even reconnection.
A Community That Shows Up for Each Other
We Walk PHL also builds support networks in small but meaningful ways. Fiona shared her experience dealing with plantar fasciitis and described how fellow walkers naturally stepped in, checking on her, offering advice, and reminding her to stretch and take care of herself.
“They really just loved on me…it really became a family.”
For Fiona, walking is a mechanism for connection: to community, to nature, and to new people. And for anyone unsure about joining, her advice is direct: “Just do it. Your body is going to thank you…Walking is wellness, and walking is movement.”
Watch Fiona’s full interview here. Want to get involved? The We Walk PHL spring season runs from May 1 through June 30 – find your nearest walking group and join the Facebook group for updates and inspiration year-round.
