Epperson By Metro Places Blog Page

Your Best Personal Trainer At Epperson Probably Has Four Legs.

You heard this old adage many times--"if your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise." There's a great deal of truth to that. Dog owners are four times more likely than to meet today's recommended physical activity guidelines of at least 10,000 steps a day. In fact, dog owners walk 22 minutes more each day than people without dogs, and they also walk more briskly keeping up with their fur babies. That's good news, because according to the American Heart Association, moderate-intensity walking is just as effective as running in lowering the risk of blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, and other conditions. Even better news--the master planned community of Epperson has lots of places to exercise your dog.

Epperson makes it easy for you and Fido to get your activity levels up.

Probably their most favorite destination in the entire community is the five-acre dog park near the Epperson Lagoon. It's a popular spot where they're likely to make friends and you're likely to meet your neighbors. In fact, at a recent Paws In The Park event, more than 50 dogs competed in a costume contest, and many more showed up for dog-friendly snacks, oat milk pupsickles, peanut butter pupcakes, and whole wheat treats. Their owners enjoyed coffee and snacks and each other's company while their dogs cavorted, got out their zoomies, and relaxed in the shade of the dog park. When complete, Epperson will offer no less than three dog parks in the community.

The dog park is just the tip of the iceberg.

But while the dog park is a big hit with the pups, it's not as conducive to mutual exercise as some of Epperson's other open spaces. Epperson's Eagle Park (opening in early 2022) will be nine acres in size on the shores of 213-acre natural King Lake. Part of a larger 27-acre preservation area, Eagle Park will give you and your pooch the chance to listen to the calls of sandhill cranes, blue herons, and even gaze upward at some Federally protected nesting eagles. The sights, sounds and smells will captivate you both.

Plus, Eagle Park will have another dog park, separated into areas for small and large breeds with shaded seating under the tree canopy for their owners. Even better, the park is on the west side of the Epperson property, so it's a nice walk on community sidewalks to get there. That's the safest and most entertaining place to let your dog run free. King Lake is a natural lake that has been there so long that the property's former owners found an ancient Indian canoe dug out from a 22-foot pine log that was left by native people between 500 B.C. and 1000 A.D. With that kind of longevity, King Lake has supported wide array of aquatic wildlife for centuries. We do not recommend letting your dog swim free in King Lake. Also remember, no dogs allowed in the crystal lagoon. But that's okay, there's plenty of other ways to have fun.

Take to the trails.

Epperson has more miles of community trails than any other community in the Wesley Chapel and Tampa areas. There are no less than XX miles of community trails within Epperson that connect all the neighborhoods to the ideal place to walk or jog with your pet. Remember, paved trails are also for cycling, jogging and roller blading, so make sure to give everyone a wide berth. Plus, because the trails are concrete paved, you'll want to protect Fido's paws during the hottest parts of the summer.

Tons of green space.

Green space is what makes Epperson's beautiful neighborhoods so special. These verdant, open spaces are always a safe bet for walking or jogging with your pooch in the soft, cooler grass. They're a popular gathering spot for families playing catch, throwing a frisbee, or just relaxing in the sun, so be sure to pick up after your pet.

But why is this all important to the health of your pet?

Humans and dogs tend to burn close to the same amount of energy per pound when walking or running. Dogs expend about 0.8 calories for walking a 15-minute mile, while their pet parents burn about 0.73 calories walking at a similar speed. This equates to a 100-calorie burn for a person weighing 150 pounds and a 38-calorie burn for a 40-pound dog. Even better, both dogs and humans are social creatures. The twice daily stroll around the block with Fido helps you both stay connected to the outside world and each other.

Unfortunately, man's best friend is often fighting the same ailments many of us are.

More than half of all dogs in the U.S. are obese, which corresponds to the obesity rates in Americans. Just 14 percent of adults in this country were considered obese in 2008, compared to 40 percent today--a 26 percent increase in 13 years. Only 1.2 percent met the seven cardiovascular health habits recommended by in a 2012 Journal of American Medical Association Study. Those guidelines call for healthy eating habits and walking for 30 minutes five times a week. Getting that level of exercise in is a breeze at Epperson.

Beat the battle of the bulge at Epperson.

Epperson makes it easy to keep both you and your pet healthy, happy and thriving. Plus, there's enough variety to keep you both entertained each and every day with Epperson's vast array of changing scenery and exercise options. Now, grab that leash and go for a walk! Your dog (and your body) will thank you.