FIT FOR LIFE in Hutto, Taylor
Texas is aging. The number of residents 65 and older is expected to more than double from 3.9 million in 2020 to 8.3 million by 2050.
The 65-plus population is the fastestgrowing segment of the states’ overall population, according to Texas A&M University.
And while exercise can be more difficult for older people, it is just as important to their health as it is for younger adults, experts say.
Taylor and Hutto have both invested heavily in parks and trails programs, offering many different fitness options for adults at all levels.
“We work on balance, flexibility, core, standing up, sitting down, the proper way to stand,” said April Green, who teaches a SeniorFit class through the Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St. in Taylor.
She added, “I had one of my seniors tell me they fell out in the garden and were able to get up, when a year ago they wouldn’t have been able to get back up. It’s about building those muscles to protect bones from a break. We need that muscle to support that body.”
ABOUT MORE THAN FITNESS
Green is a personal trainer working with Taylor’s parks programs.
“Everybody wants to be fit, get in shape. But there’s more to it. We’re building relationships here. We’re about the people in the community, meeting new friends,” Green said. “A lot of people do not like a gym setting as far as the weights and all that, so we offer classes but it’s really more about building relationships and inspiring others.”
There is evidence being part of a fitness community can help a person commit to an ongoing exercise routine. The American Heart Association notes that commitment and consistency are keys to living a healthy life.
Johns Hopkins Medicine, one of the country’s foremost health care research facilities, reports that just 30 minutes of physical activity daily can lower a person’s risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers.
It can also mean staying healthy longer into a person’s later years, as opposed to someone who spends their final years battling chronic illness.
“Fitness isn’t just about how we look on the outside. It’s physical health, it’s mental health,” said Betsy Schultz, Taylor parks and recreation superintendent. “Fit looks different for every single person. So we want to be able to offer various fitness opportunities, whether it’s walking on a trail or using outside fitness equipment.”
She added, “Our philosophy is: The more active people are, the happier they are and the more mentally healthy they are. And they’re going to stay involved in lifetime activities, whatever that may be.”
Taylor officials said the city has been taking bold steps to improve residents’ access to healthy activities, including constructing a new community swimming pool, which will open in 2026. It has also approved a feasibility study about building an indoor recreation center with more space for activities and potentially an indoor pool.
In addition to its popular SeniorFit class, the city offers DrumFIT, yoga, Pilates and other group classes. Parks and Rec also hosts an adult volleyball open-play session every Sunday. And depending on the season and availability of instructors, pickleball and croquet classes have also been on the menu.
The city also recently hosted a ribbon cutting for the resurfaced track at Memorial Field Track in Murphy Park, 1213 Davis St. Memorial Field also features a new Fitness Park, which includes a chest/back press, squat press, elliptical and Tai Chi wheels, according to a city release.
Classes can be found at taylortx.gov/ pard.
STAYINGFITINHUTTO
Hutto has also been investing in healthy lifestyle opportunities for its residents, officials said.
The city recently embarked on a $10 million upgrade to Fritz Park, 400 Park Ave., and has made significant improvements to the Cottonwood Creek Trail, extending it and installing solar lighting.
Hutto’s master plan has 35 trail projects the city hopes to complete during the next 10 years to create a comprehensive network.
“Generally speaking, walking along the trail is one of the most effective steady-state cardio activities, getting your heartbeat up without having to exhaust a lot of energy,” said Jeffrey White, Hutto director of parks and recreation. “Being able to use it free without any barriers such as residency or accessibility is important. For somebody that’s looking to start on their fitness journey, you want to build consistency and one of the ways you can do that is start with something you already most likely do and that’s walking.”
White said part of his philosophy is to make things fun so that people may not even realize they’re exercising. The city has a list of leagues for people to join, including wiffle ball, cornhole and bucket golf.
Hutto also offers adult flag football, coed softball and coed kickball.
The city makes it easy to participate with online sign-up at huttotx.gov/pard; options are given to newcomers and people looking for a group to join.
“We offer a free-agent list, so if you’re new to the area or new to the sport and don’t have a team, so to speak, you can join the free-agent list and we will do our best to try to form a team or pass your name along to someone that already has a team forming,” White said.
“That’s a great opportunity for people to show interest in a sport without having to come up with nine or 10 other people to form a team,” he added.
GETTINGOUTDOORSANDMORE
Taylor and Hutto offer plentiful opportunities for locals to enjoy a healthy outdoor lifestyle, officials said.
White and Schultz both said that keeping fees for classes or leagues low is a top priority, to make sure people can participate often.
Those with a little more flexibility in their budgets will find neither city lacks for more traditional fitness opportunities.
Martial-arts studios, yoga studios, gyms and personal trainers are available in both towns.
The Golf Club at Star Ranch, 2500 FM 685 in Hutto, is a public course that sometimes hosts tournaments for nonprofits.
With other agencies in the cities holding events such as birdwatching and fun runs, even those starting their fitness journey from scratch will find plenty of advice and help.
Eddie Chavez, co-owner of Taylor Bike Co., 204 N. Main St., in Taylor, said he has seen an uptick in the number of threewheel and electric bicycles he sells. Older customers worried about their balance are finding the trikes give them stability while still having the bicycling experience.
“Doctors say the reason biking is so healthy is because it has zero impact. You’re not pounding your bones,” Chavez said. Add in the pedal-assist action of an electric bike and even people recovering from an injury or dealing with joint issues can get in some exercise.
“Just the motion and movement it gives you helps with circulation and gives you the confidence to continue,” Chavez said. “If you can only ride 10 miles, with pedal-assist you can complete them without taxing your body. It helps individuals ease into it and ride further with less heavy strain, because if you push yourself too much you’ll have a hard time continuing.”
Health experts agree the best exercise for any person is one they won’t quit.
“With any fitness journey, consistency is the key. Whether that’s beginner, intermediate or advanced, whether you’re getting started or coming back from a break, consistency is the key,” White said. “Finding something you truly love to do helps with that consistency. Swap your screen time for some green time. Get outside in Hutto parks and connect with nature.”
Doing something is better than doing nothing, even if all one can manage is five minutes to start, Schultz said.
“Our commitment is to provide safe, affordable options. I remember walking the trails with my grandmother and fishing with my grandfather at a pond,” Schultz said. “Those are the memories that we want. When you look back on life, you remember being there with your friends, building that sense of community. That’s what we’re trying to do in Parks and Rec.”
“Swap your screen time for some green time.”
— JEFFREY WHITE
HUTTO DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
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