Healing Steps: Finding Peace in Caminatas

Imagine waking up early, before the day’s busyness begins, filled with excitement to meet your friends for a morning walk. For Lupita, Irene, Aurora, and Olivia, this is a weekly tradition they cherish at the Menomonee Valley branch of the Urban Ecology Center (UEC).

In every season, rain or shine, these four women make time for their “Caminatas” - Spanish for walks. Together, they wander the trails of Three Bridges Park and the paths around Silver City, sharing stories from their weeks, spotting wildlife, and leaving their worries and anxieties behind. It’s a brief weekly pause that brings them each a unique sense of peace that only nature and friendship can provide.

“I was experiencing a lot of stress when I began the Caminatas,” shares Olivia one brisk fall morning. “It’s been three years now and my mental health has improved. I have begun to appreciate nature more.”

After their walks, the women often gather back at the Urban Ecology Center for coffee and traditional Mexican cookies, sometimes even preparing treats in the kitchen together. This time spent in community is just as vital as the exercise itself, and is part of what makes the UEC so integral to this routine.

“I feel very calm and relaxed when I come here for our walks,” shares Aurora. “I am comfortable because I have the freedom to speak and be listened to without judgment.”

While Milwaukee has many beautiful parks, it’s the kindness and community at the UEC that truly brings their Caminatas to life.

“To find a location is one thing, but to find the unity we share here is very hard,” says Irene.

Irene adds, “This is a place where you can express yourself or simply just be.”

The stories the women share are filled with warmth and resilience. On their walks, they draw strength from the beauty around them and the bonds they’ve formed. The power of nature, combined with genuine connection, inspires them to bring that energy into other areas of their lives.

“On our walks, there is a rock where I feel this joy and peace. It is like it is telling me to bring all your worries here,” says Irene.

Your support of the Urban Ecology Center enables groups like Caminatas to thrive through the fostering of healthier, happier green spaces.

‍