Explore St. Louis this spring on your own ten toes and Metro with Citizens for Modern Transit's Ten Toe Express

Almost 7,500 active area residents, many over the age of 60, are better realizing the benefits of our region’s public transit system thanks to Citizens for Modern Transit’s Ten Toe Express program. By demonstrating how to use MetroLink, MetroBus and their own two feet to get around town, the program is increasing their independence, accessibility and overall health. The Ten Toe Express walking program will hit the streets again the week of April 8, 2013 for the Spring 2013 session and run for twelve weeks.  The session will have a special kickoff walk on Wednesday, April 10 highlighting the newly renovated Central Library in the heart of Downtown St. Louis.  Participants will meet at the Shrewsbury MetroLink Station at 9 a.m. to catch the train for downtown St. Louis and tour of the Library located on Olive.

The Ten Toe Express program is designed to help area residents increase their independence, accessibility and overall health by learning how to utilize MetroBus and the MetroLink when heading to countless numbers of St. Louis area destinations. Online tools and the ability to join as many as 60 different guided walk tours during the 12 week spring session make it easy for individuals to familiarize themselves with the process. Ten Toe Walk Maps, with very detailed directions to as many as 100 different regional destinations, are available for those who prefer self-guided tours. Check online for walk schedules and details at http://tentoes.cmt-stl.org/Home/tabid/59/Default.aspx.

The program also aims to improve overall health by providing access to walking and eating logs, checklists, tools to measure and record steps, stretching tips, background on the benefits of exercise, tickets and nutritional education.

We are ecstatic to see the large number of participants out celebrating their own ten toes in 2013 by participating in the program.  Once they try transit, they see how easy it is to navigate, and experience all of its benefits – they are sold. Individuals who have tried transit for the first time through the Ten Toe program are now relying on it to get to and from ball games, concerts and special outings, as well as to doctors appointments and the grocery store and to run errands. Our mission is being accomplished. It is fantastic.

Our Kick-off Walk to the newly renovated Central Library in Downtown St. Louis is set for Wednesday, April 10. The Kick-off Walk will meet at the Shrewsbury MetroLink Station at 9:10 am to catch the 9:19 train to Union Station. The walk and library tour is expected to last 1-1.5 hours and will be led by Library docents. Although there is no cost to attend the Kick-off Walk, an RSVP is required, so don’t forget to let us know if you will be attending. RSVP to info@cmt-stl.org.

Registration for the Spring 2013 session is now open! You can register or re-register online at www.cmt-stl.org or by mailing a check to the CMT office. Past participants must re-register by March 15. New members are welcome to attend any of our 6 upcoming Ten Toe Express registration events, where they will be able to register for the program and pay in person. The registration event schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, February 28 – 9-11am

Clayton Community Center, Clayton Oasis

50 Gay Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105

• Friday, March 1 – 9-11am

Southwestern IL College-Program & Services for Older Persons Dining Hall

201 North Church Street, Belleville, IL  62220

• Wednesday, March 6 – 10am-12pm

CMT Office

911 Washington Ave., Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63101

• Tuesday, March 12 – 10am-12pm

CMT Office

911 Washington Ave., Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO  63101

• Friday, March 22 – 12-2pm

Southwestern IL College-Program & Services for Older Persons Dining Hall

201 North Church Street, Belleville, IL  62220

To learn more about the Ten Toe Program, visit www.tentoes.cmt-stl.org or call Citizens for Modern Transit at 314-231-7272. Funding for this project is provided by the St. Clair county Transit District through an Illinois Congestion Mitigation and Quality Improvement grant.