Newark Joins Heart Smart Walking Challenge

Less than a year after Washington Health launched its Heart Smart Walking Challenge with Union City, Newark is the latest municipality to join the program.

The Heart Smart Walking Challenge, a walking and educational program promoting heart health and disease prevention in the community, kicked off last spring with Union City as its first participant. The challenge’s monthly 1-mile walks with Washington Health clinicians; educational programs on diet, exercise, and heart health; and logging miles to qualify for raffle prizes, has attracted 226 Union City walkers clocking 54 million steps since March.

“I’m grateful to play a part in supporting our community’s health,” says Robert Magbanua, Union City’s recreation coordinator. “I’m excited to carry this momentum forward as we expand the Heart Smart Walking Challenge into the city of Newark in 2026.”

The Heart Smart Walking Challenge was started after Washington Health’s 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment found Union City residents had more emergency visits, hospitalizations, and deaths related to heart disease and stroke. The most recent needs assessment found that Newark residents experience similar health challenges.

“We can't wait to see the positive impact this program has on our community, as it fits well with our goal of supporting the health and well-being of our residents,” adds Becca Hicks, recreation coordinator, city of Newark. “We hope to encourage the community to stay active while learning helpful health information during the Washington Health Walks.”

Hicks is excited to partner with Washington Health and Union City, and looks forward to the first Washington Health walk of 2026 on Jan. 7 at 9 a.m., starting at the Mark Green Sports Center in Union City.

Clinicians Discuss Health Topics

“Pedestrian safety will be discussed before the first walk,” according to Kayla Gupta, Washington Health Community Outreach manager. She explains that once a month, Washington Health clinical experts will join the community in a 1-mile walk, after a discussion on health and safety topics.

“Washington Health has had a rewarding experience in 2025 interacting with Union City residents and we’re excited to be partnering now with the city of Newark,” Gupta notes. “At the heart of our efforts is expanding access to a program that has been so well received.”

While it’s too early to note results from the Heart Smart Walking Challenge, Gupta says that people are embracing it enthusiastically and are most likely impacting their health. In addition to the scheduled monthly walks, residents can participate in the free challenge by walking on their own and logging in the mileage to become eligible for prizes and gift cards provided by Washington Health.

How to Participate

Register for the challenge at unioncity.org/reg 

Look for an introductory email with instructions on how to get started and ideas for walking paths. Visit newarkca.gov/heartsmart and click the "Submit Your Steps" button at the bottom of this page at the end of each week. Please make sure the contact information and city you submit matches the name you registered under to be eligible for prize raffles throughout the year. Check the same webpage and your email for challenge updates, participant highlights, and more.

Monthly Walk Locations

Next year’s scheduled walks with Washington Health clinicians begin at 9 a.m. Registration isn’t required, but suggested, at unioncity.org/reg (Search: Heart Smart).

Jan. 7, Mark Green Sports Center, 31224 Union City Blvd., Union City. Topic: Pedestrian Safety

Feb. 4, Newark Community Center, 35501 Cedar Blvd., Newark. Topic: Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

March 4, Kennedy Park, 1333 Decoto Road, Union City. Topic: Heart Healthy Nutrition

April 1, Newark Community Center, 35501 Cedar Blvd., Newark. Topic: Choking First Aid

May 6, Mark Green Sports Center, 31224 Union City Blvd., Newark. Topic: Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

June 3, Mayhews Landing Park, 36380 Cherry St., Newark. Topic: Stop the Bleed

July 1, Union City Station District, across from the Union City BART Station. Topic: Exercise and Activity

Aug. 5, Lakeshore Park, Newark Lake, meet at Boathouse on Chelsea Drive, Newark. Topic: Smoking and Vaping

Sept. 2, Coyote Hills. Location TBD. Topic: Fall Prevention

Oct. 7, Birch Grove Park. 38080 Birch St. Newark. Topic: Weight Management

Nov. 4, Ralph & Mary Ruggieri Center, 33997 Alvarado-Niles Road, Newark. Topic: Diabetes

Dec. 2, Newark Community Center, 35501 Cedar Blvd, Newark. Topic: Sleep and Heart Health