Do you live, work or play in downtown Tampa? If so, I would like to encourage you to personally become part of Tampa’s vibrant waterfront experience by doing some of these activities.

Once a week – one of the following:
1). Walk a couple of blocks on the Riverwalk (out of your way if necessary) on the way to the office, on the way to lunch or on the way back at the end of the day.
2). Eat lunch, take a coffee break, have a casual meeting at any of the Riverwalk Parks.
3). Skip the gym and exercise outside on the Riverwalk (bike, roller-blade, jog, yoga, etc).

Once a month – one of the following:
1). Convince someone new to join you in the Tampa Riverwalk Challenge.
2). Same as number 2 above only this time, go a block farther north or south to a different Riverwalk table or bench.
3). Spot a dolphin or manatee and point it out to a visitor or learn the correct name for another bird you spot but previously did not know what it was called.

Once a year – one of the following:
1). Take a happy hour cruise along the Tampa waterfront/Riverwalk (day and night for double credit).
2). Host a team building exercise involving the Tampa’s waterfront or Riverwalk (i.e. kayak to Ricks-on-the-River for lunch with your team, organize a tricycle race between your various departments, go on a bike or Segway tour).
3). Walk, rollerblade, jog or bike the entire Riverwalk from Channelside to Water Works Park.

If you don’t work downtown, feel free to adapt this challenge to The Green Artery parks, trails and public spaces in your area (see http://www.greenartery.org/ for more information about this exciting project)!