Hippocrates once said, “Walking is a man’s best medicine.”

Perhaps this is why the Quitman-Lake Fork Kiwanis Club is working to implement an extensive walking and biking trail in one of the most accessible areas of the city.

According to JoAnne Wisdom, secretary of the club, the trails will eventually run from Jim Hogg City Park to a property on Goldsmith St., which will hold looping trails on a seven-acre lot. From there, the trail will connect with a to-be-built dog park, then to trails “on the hospital district greenbelt area,” and finally to a trail running around the Mason Wholesale Greenhouses. It will end at the Youth Foundation Park and the City Pool.

“The end goal and grand vision is a trail that would run from Hogg Park to City Pool,” said Wisdom.

Excessive rain in May and early June has “slowed things down” for the project. Because of the mud and rain, she says, the Kiwanis have not yet been able to get necessary dirt work completed for the Goldsmith trails.

Despite all this, Wisdom says that the plans for the trails are “progressing nicely.” The fencing for the dog park is ordered, trees have been thinned to allow grass to grow, and plans are being laid out.

Wisdom noted that what the project really needs is continued support from the community.

“We are so lucky to have such a great community that has been of such great support already,” she said. “The main thing we need from the community is their continued support through donations and participation in our fundraisers.”

Wisdom noted that the trail project also needs donations of prizes to be used for the Walking Trail Project Bingo Night at the Old Settlers Reunion. The event will be held from Aug. 1-3 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Jim Hogg City Park.

“Funds raised from that event are dedicated to the Walking Trail project, and it is also the largest fundraiser for the trail,” she said.

Donations can be made by calling Wisdom at 903-394-8941.