How to Start a Walking Group in Your Neighbourhood

Early on a Saturday, the sidewalks around Echo Park Lake fill quickly—joggers, dog walkers, and recently, a growing crowd moving at a brisk, chatty pace. Community-led walking groups are popping up across Los Angeles, as residents increasingly trade solo fitness for shared, local movement.

This upswing comes at a time of renewed concern for both physical and mental health. With Los Angeles County reporting that only 61% of adults meet the CDC’s minimum weekly exercise guideline (according to the latest LA County Health Survey), neighbours are looking for accessible ways to get moving that won’t require a gym membership or a long drive. Social connection, which took a hit during the pandemic, remains a top priority for many. Walking groups offer a low-pressure, zero-fee way to prioritize both wellness and community.

Neighborhoods Leading the Way

Local organizations like LA Walks have helped map pedestrian-friendly corridors from Highland Park’s Figueroa Boulevard to the 2.2-mile loop around Silver Lake Reservoir. In West LA, the Palisades Park Walking Club meets twice weekly on Ocean Avenue overlooking the Santa Monica cliffs, catering to both brisk walkers and those who prefer a gentler pace. Meanwhile, Glendale’s Be Well Together collective hosts monthly group strolls through Verdugo Park as part of a city wellness initiative. These groups range from ten to nearly a hundred participants and often include a mix of all ages and fitness backgrounds.

Even in car-centric pockets of the Valley, residents are gathering on Ventura Boulevard or linking up at Recreation Centers like Woodland Hills and Tarzana Park. Most start as informal meetups—neighbors chatting on Nextdoor or dropping a flyer at a local cafe, like Square One in Los Feliz. The momentum can build quickly; LA Walks, which began as an advocacy project, now lists more than 20 recurring neighborhood walking events on its calendar, all of which are free to join.

Accessible, Low-Cost Wellness

The appeal of group walking is clear in the numbers. According to city data, Angelenos who participate in group fitness report 28% higher weekly activity levels than those who exercise alone. The National Park Service confirms that walking is still the most popular form of group exercise in the US, thanks to its simplicity and negligible cost. Walkers need little more than a good pair of shoes—entry-level options run $40 to $120 at local outlets like A Runner’s Circle (Los Feliz) or Fleet Feet (Brentwood)—and a safe route. Thanks to local additions like the Ballona Creek Bike Path and revitalized sections of the LA River Path, options for scenic, car-free group routes are expanding in 2026.

Organizing your own walking group is straightforward: Choose a regular meeting point (such as the Story Park entrance in Alhambra or the picnic tables by Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area), set a weekly time, and spread the word via flyers, neighborhood message boards, or community centers. The key is consistency and openness—most lasting groups welcome newcomers without RSVP or fees and adapt their pace for inclusivity. Many regulars bring water, sunscreen and occasionally a four-legged companion.

Starting Your Step-by-Step

Want to get your neighborhood walking? Start small, suggests local organizers: two or three people is plenty for the first outing. Adapt your route to varying fitness levels—loops under two miles around Echo Park Lake or Pan Pacific Park work for most. As your group grows, consider safety guidelines: walk single file on narrow sidewalks, wear reflective gear for evening strolls, and keep an emergency contact shared for the group.

For more resources, check LA Walks’ online toolkit or connect with your local council office; both often provide free maps and promotional support. The ultimate goal: make movement a social, sustainable part of your neighborhood’s routine—one walk at a time.