Chemung County residents can get moving and win great prizes during the annual Gold Shoe Step It Up Challenge. Until June 12, residents can look for over 400 painted gold shoes which have been hidden at local parks and trails throughout the County. Residents who find the shoes will be eligible to win great prizes by turning in shoes to various collections sites. Prizes include items like basketballs, bicycles, fitness trackers, scooters and baseball gloves.
Residents get a prize entry for every shoe they find. Shoes will be hidden at 20 local sites:
Big Flats Community Park
Boat Launches in Chemung County
Catherine Valley Trail, Millport
Chapel Park, Southport
Draxler Park
Eldridge Park
Elmer Goodwin Park
Ernie Davis Community Park
Grove St. Park
Holding Point, Horseheads
Harris Hill
Katy Leary Park
Lackawanna Rail Trail, Elmira
Lake St. Bridge
Park Station
Pirozzolo Park, West Elmira
Sperr Park
Sullivan Park, Thorne St. Horseheads
Tanglewood Nature Center
YWCA programs
Residents can drop off shoes at any of the following locations:
Chemung County Health Dept., EOP, Tanglewood Nature Center, Chapel Park, Horseheads Village Hall, Big Flats Community Center, Elmira Town Hall, YWCA, & Park Station Campground Office.
There will be a random drawing for prizes. Shoes must be returned by June 20th to be entered into the prize drawing.
The Gold Shoe Step It Up Challenge is designed to improve overall health through a focus on better nutrition and increased physical activity at these local recreational areas. Chemung County has higher rates of obesity for both adults and adolescents than New York State. Our heart attack, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes hospitalization rates are all higher than NYS rates.
The program is run by a collaboration of Arnot Health, Tanglewood Nature Center, Southport Recreation, Chemung County Health Department, YWCA of Elmira and the Twin Tiers, Horseheads Village Recreation, Horseheads Youth Bureau, Southern Tier Bicycle League, Chemung River Friends, Chemung County Youth Bureau, Big Flats Parks, Town of Elmira Parks, EOP, and local volunteers. They would like to thank the generous sponsors, the staff and volunteers who help hide shoes, and our major sponsor, the Anderson Foundation. Donations to the program can be sent to the Community Foundation at 301 S. Main St., Horseheads, NY 14845.
More information can be found on the Gold Shoe Step It Up Challenge Facebook page. For questions please call 607-737-2856.
