The Baldwin Hills Estates Homeowners Association celebrated its second annual “Walk in the Dons” event. Baldwin Hills is a hillside community neighborhood within South Los Angeles. “The Dons” are nicknames for the streets that begin with the title of the original landholders of Los Angeles, such as Don Luis Drive and Don Mariano Drive.
According to H.O.A. President Shirley Worrels, the event was created to encourage resident engagement and promote the health benefits of walking. The residents traveled through a series of walking paths, created to accommodate individual endurance levels, for a 30-45-minute walk throughout their hillside community.
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The walk started in the Don Cota cul-de-sac, where healthy snacks and fruit were shared. A group of middle school and high school residents participated as peace player drummers, inspiring the group while playing West African drums and rhythms.
Through the walks, neighbors were provided an opportunity to bond. They also discovered and rediscovered various streets and friends in the area. Some residents discussed meeting on a more regular basis.
“I really enjoyed connecting with my neighbors and hope we plan more activities in the future,” said Donnie Smith.
The walks culminated with a hot dog luncheon and social hour that included a Baldwin Hills Estates trivia contest. According to Worrels, the event was created by the chairs of their outreach committee. Avis Gibson and Linda Gatson along with the 14 members of their board of directors planned “Walk in the Dons.”
The event was sponsored by resident and real estate agent Obie Nwabuzor.
“The response and feedback was overwhelmingly positive and residents are looking forward to next year’s event,” said Worrels.
The organization hosts various events throughout the year. For more information, visit bhehoa.org.
