Dear Editor:

Two weeks ago when I went to the Y to walk, I picked up a flyer heralding the Beginning of a Healthy Journey to use the track for a one-time fee of only $25. There had been a free track access for seniors Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 10 and noon for six years. The “YMCA Walking Club, 65+” is also on Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.

I’ve touted this free program to several people who need a safe place to walk and praised the Y and the Community Center for their efforts to provide safe and welcoming spaces for our growing active senior population.

If the Y is in such need of funds that they choose to take away what was once free, have they talked to any of those of us who have benefited from this walking opportunity for the past six years to see what could make this program useful to more people and keep it attractive to those of us who use it? Furthermore, some of the walkers are regular charitable donors to the Y.

A track-only membership for $50 or $60 a year would make the track useful to seniors who work during the day or have other commitments Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. This could bring in more revenue to the Y per person and still make walkers feel valued.

Is there a way to find a good answer to this problem?

Elaine Fearnside

Southport