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Calendar of Events

Bringing healthy to you!

Providing fun, healthy ways to run, eat, bike, paddle and more across WNY!

Independent Health and the Independent Health Foundation are excited to work with a variety of local partners to help Western New Yorkers get healthy, stay active, and have fun in the sun! Independent Health members receive a discount with their ID card at select locations.*

Bike Month

May is National Bike Month! Independent Health is excited to once again partner with GObike on all the ways you can celebrate bicycling in Western New York – starting with a Bike Blastoff Party on May 3! There will also be bike breakfasts, mobile repairs, bike to work and school events, and so much more. Look for our RedShirts on select dates with free giveaways, while supplies last. 

We’re also offering Western New Yorkers the chance to win a grand prize by telling us in 350 words or less why you love biking. Submit your story and a photo by May 24 for the chance to win a $200 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods and a prize pack with goods from GObike, Reddy Bikeshare, and Independent Health. 

Dates:  May 1-24

Location:  Various

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Buffalo PAL PlayStreets

PlayStreets presented by Independent Health is back for the spring! Every Tuesday and Wednesday, the Police Athletic League of Buffalo brings FREE outdoor sports programming and fitness equipment to youth ages 5-18 in different neighborhoods across the City of Buffalo. This seasonal program is designed to promote physical activity and mental health. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. New participants receive a FREE T-shirt, while supplies last. 

Dates:  April 9 – June 12 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Times:  4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

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Reddy Bikeshare

Reddy Bikeshare is back for its ninth season! With 465 Reddy bikes at 110 stations across Buffalo and Niagara Falls, we’re making it easy to help you commute to work, ride to school, visit your favorite park or take a leisurely roll. New this year, Reddy+ Bikes (electric pedal-assist bicycles) are now available at select locations! Wherever you go, it’s a great way to get healthy, have fun and explore our region by bike. Independent Health members receive discounts on annual memberships. Plus, riders can win prizing through the Bike Month Station Challenge in May and the 100-Mile Challenge this summer. 

Dates:  April – October

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Kids Run

Registration is now open for Kids Run! Brought to you by the Independent Health Foundation, this family-friendly event encourages individuals of all ages to participate in a 1.8-mile walk or run through Delaware Park. There’s also a mini-dash for the littlest ones! Join us for a day of exciting, healthy and FREE activity that’s fun for all ages. Teams are encouraged and space is limited to be sure to register. 

Dates:  Saturday, June 1

Location:  Delaware Park

Buffalo RiverWorks

Join us for outdoor adventure at Buffalo RiverWorks! As the official health and wellness partner, our members save 20 percent on healthy activities like zip lining, the ropes course, kayaking and more. Eligible members can also use their Health ExtrasSM card to cover the cost. Staying for a bite to eat? Look for the orange Healthy Options® sticker on the menu – these items are lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium thanks to the Independent Health Foundation.

RiverWorks is also offering its fourth annual Sports Adventure Camp for kids, sponsored by Independent Health! A variety of healthy activities are offered each week for ages 8-13, including soccer, the Ferris Wheel, ropes course, kayaking, pickleball, spike ball, crafts, roller skating and more. Activities run Monday through Friday each week, July 8 through August 19, and are fully supervised. Cost includes lunch, snacks, and a T-shirt. 

Location:  Buffalo RiverWorks, 359 Ganson Street, Buffalo

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Wellness Walks at Tifft

Looking for a way to enjoy the fresh air while getting your steps in? Join us every Thursday morning at Tifft Nature Preserve for Wellness Walks presented by Independent Health! All ages are encouraged to attend these free weekly walks, guided by a knowledgeable volunteer, while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. Please call (716) 825-6397 to confirm the walks will be taking place each week. 

Location:  Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Boulevard

Outer Harbor Buffalo

Outer Harbor is open year-round for all to enjoy! Bring your bikes down to Lakeside Bike Park presented by Independent Health where you’ll find three mountain bike tracks that are perfect for riders of all ages and skill levels. There’s also a pump track, skills loop and tot track for little ones. From there, you can hop on the three-mile Independent Health Wellness Trail down to Wilkeson Pointe* while enjoying scenic views of the lake and cityscape – also perfect for walking, jogging, skating, and more. 

*Wilkeson Pointe is closed for 2024 due to construction. Bike and watersport rentals will not be available. 

Location:  Wilkeson Pointe, 225 Fuhrmann Boulevard, and Lakeside Bike Park, 825 Fuhrmann Boulevard

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Good for the Neighborhood

Improve your health with the Independent Health Foundation’s Good for the Neighborhood program! Join us at various dates and locations across Buffalo and Niagara Falls to receive FREE fruits and vegetables (while supplies last), as well as health and wellness resources that can help you eat better, be more active and connect with your doctor. Check the program website for the most current schedule.

Kids Run

Registration is now open for Kids Run! Brought to you by the Independent Health Foundation, this family-friendly event encourages individuals of all ages to participate in a 1.8-mile walk or run through Delaware Park. There’s also a mini-dash for the littlest ones! Join us for a day of exciting, healthy and FREE activity that’s fun for all ages. Teams are encouraged and space is limited to be sure to register. 

Dates:  Saturday, June 1

Location:  Delaware Park

Fitness in the Parks

Fitness in the Parks is back! Independent Health and the YMCA are teaming up once again to bring a variety of outdoor fitness classes to a park near you, starting June 3. With more than 500 classes offered at parks across Western New York, there’s something for everyone – Zumba®, yoga, Pilates, kickboxing and more. All classes are led by certified YMCA instructors, and all ages and skill levels are encouraged to join. Parking is always free, and registration is never required. With Fitness in the Parks, you never have to trade good weather for a workout again! 

Dates:  June – August

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Food Truck Tuesdays

Larkin Square is the place to be on Tuesday nights! Join us for food, fun, and free live music during Food Truck Tuesdays sponsored by Independent Health. More than a dozen different food trucks fill the square each week, providing a unique outdoor dining experience – and every food truck offers at least one Healthy Options® menu item that’s lower in fat, sodium and cholesterol, thanks to the Independent Health Foundation.

Join us for “Independent Health Night” on June 4, July 2, July 30 and August 27 for FREE giveaways (while supplies last)!

Dates:  June 4 – August 27 (Tuesdays)

Location:  Larkin Square, 745 Seneca Street

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Buffalo PAL PlayStreets

PlayStreets presented by Independent Health is back for the spring! Every Tuesday and Wednesday, the Police Athletic League of Buffalo brings FREE outdoor sports programming and fitness equipment to youth ages 5-18 in different neighborhoods across the City of Buffalo. This seasonal program is designed to promote physical activity and mental health. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. New participants receive a FREE T-shirt, while supplies last. 

Dates:  April 9 – June 12 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Times:  4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

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Community Health Day

How many muscles does your body use to take a single step? What’s the normal resting heartbeat for a kid? How many grams of sugar should we eat in a day? Come find out during Community Health Day sponsored by Independent Health! Our RedShirtsSM will be at the Buffalo Museum of Science with a variety of hands-on activities that are fun, healthy, and educational – plus free giveaways, while supplies last! The event will feature outdoor fitness activities, special character appearances, a storybook reading on the importance of “Juneteenth,” a health and wellness scavenger hunt, and so much more. Admission to the Museum is FREE on the day of the event. 

Dates:  Wednesday, June 19

Times:  10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location:  Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Parkway

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Reddy Bikeshare

Reddy Bikeshare is back for its ninth season! With 465 Reddy bikes at 110 stations across Buffalo and Niagara Falls, we’re making it easy to help you commute to work, ride to school, visit your favorite park or take a leisurely roll. New this year, Reddy+ Bikes (electric pedal-assist bicycles) are now available at select locations! Wherever you go, it’s a great way to get healthy, have fun and explore our region by bike. Independent Health members receive discounts on annual memberships. Plus, riders can win prizing through the 100-Mile Challenge this summer.

Dates:  April – October

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Buffalo RiverWorks

Join us for outdoor adventure at Buffalo RiverWorks! As the official health and wellness partner, our members save 20 percent on healthy activities like zip lining, the ropes course, kayaking and more. Eligible members can also use their Health Extras card to cover the cost. Staying for a bite to eat? Look for the orange Healthy Options® sticker on the menu – these items are lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium, thanks to our team at the Independent Health Foundation.

RiverWorks is also offering its fourth annual Sports Adventure Camp for kids, sponsored by Independent Health! A variety of healthy activities are offered each week for ages 8-13, including soccer, the Ferris Wheel, ropes course, kayaking, pickleball, spike ball, crafts, roller skating and more. Activities run Monday through Friday each week, July 8 through August 19, and are fully supervised. Cost includes lunch, snacks, and a T-shirt. Registration is required. 

Dates:  July 8 - August 19

Location:  Buffalo RiverWorks, 359 Ganson Street, Buffalo

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Wellness Walks at Tifft

Looking for a way to enjoy the fresh air while getting your steps in? Join us every Thursday morning at Tifft Nature Preserve for Wellness Walks presented by Independent Health! All ages are encouraged to attend these free weekly walks, guided by a knowledgeable volunteer, while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. Please call (716) 825-6397 to confirm the walks will be taking place each week. 

Location:  Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Boulevard

Outer Harbor Buffalo

Outer Harbor is open year-round for all to enjoy! Bring your bikes down to Lakeside Bike Park presented by Independent Health where you’ll find three mountain bike tracks that are perfect for riders of all ages and skill levels. There’s also a pump track, skills loop and tot track for little ones. From there, you can hop on the three-mile Independent Health Wellness Trail down to Wilkeson Pointe* while enjoying scenic views of the lake and cityscape – also perfect for walking, jogging, skating, and more. 

*Wilkeson Pointe is closed for 2024 due to construction. Bike and watersport rentals will not be available.

 

Location:  Wilkeson Pointe, 225 Fuhrmann Boulevard; Lakeside Bike Park, 825 Fuhrmann Boulevard

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Good for the Neighborhood

Improve your health with the Independent Health Foundation’s Good for the Neighborhood program! Join us at various dates and locations across Buffalo and Niagara Falls to receive FREE fruits and vegetables (while supplies last), as well as health and wellness resources that can help you eat better, be more active and connect with your doctor. Check the program website for the most current schedule.