Oxford’s HEALTH AND WELLNESS Resources
WALKING AND RUNNING
OXFORD
AN ANALYSIS OF POPULAR LEG-STRETCHING LOCALES BY SHERYL CHATFIELD Some people who have been physically active throughout their lives do most of their activity outside, even in uncomfortable (hot or cold) weather. With this in mind, I have completed my own “audit” of the Ole Miss campus, Oxford, and some of the areas outside of the city limits. In this Part One, I address locations on and adjoining the Ole Miss campus. In the City of Oxford proper, there are many more great places to walk and run. Check those out in Part Two online at HottyToddy.com. Go to: www.hottytoddy.com/walkingand-running-oxford-part-2
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LOCATIONS
PLUSES
DEPOT TRAIL From the Depot (Gertrude Ford Center parking lot) to Molly Barr Road.
Mostly flat with lights for night use. Rarely crowded. Not far from the center of campus. Bathrooms and water fountains are available just beyond the batting cages between Washington and Price streets.
WHIRLPOOL TRAILS Coliseum Drive/Front Street dead ends south of Hwy 6.
The fire road and continuation (straight part) is well maintained, fairly flat, and gets regular use, especially in the evenings when the weather is nice. The length of this segment is roughly three miles from beginning to end. Surface is gravel, dirt, or sand (or mud or puddles of water after rain). There are many other dirt trails branching off the main portion.
MINUSES
Crosses two roads, and Price Street can be busy. Plus or minus, depending on your view, is that it’s only one mile long. Paved.
Far from center of campus and hard to get to from campus on foot, as there are no sidewalks once you reach the four-way stop at Coliseum and Hill drives. Plus or minus, depending on your view: Unpaved; parts are downright rugged. Often quiet and may feel remote.
BOTTOM LINE
Nice to have and quickly accessible from lots of campus. I personally wish it was a little longer.
Due to the distance from the center of campus, most people are going to need to have a decent sized block of time to use this resource.
hottytoddy.com Visitors and Newcomers Guide • Dec 2013/Jan 2014