Wegmans on the Trail Again

For Recreation & Parks Month in July, the Wegmans Food Markets location in Columbia, Md., has teamed up with the Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks (HCRP) and the Columbia Association (CA) to introduce Howard County's Nature Quest and the Wegmans Passport to Family Wellness, an initiative to encourage people to make use of the county's extensive network of nature trails. The Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer first developed the program in 2005.

This time around, the pocket-sized passport guides users through 16 trails in Howard County, eight managed by HCRP and eight by CA. Participants can log their progress by making a rubbing in the passport of a trail marker found at a designated point on each trail.

"We're committed to helping our neighbors and our own employees live healthier, better lives," said Krystal Register, the nutritionist at the Columbia Wegmans store. "It's the reason we created this program, which is now a 'passport' for dozens of trails in many of the communities where we have stores. We hope it inspires friends and families to get moving right here on the beautiful trails in Howard County."

"With this passport, families can have some fun together on this nature quest, earn some great prizes, and maybe even get a little healthier and fitter in the process," noted Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.

HCRP and CA will offer free giveaways to those who walk all of their respective trails. For those who walk six trails, Wegmans will offer a coupon for a free store-brand product. Participants who walk all 16 trails will be entered into a raffle for a $100 Wegmans gift card or a gift certificate from HCRP or CA.

The free passports are available at eight locations, including the Columbia store.

Family-owned Wegmans operates 84 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.