You’ve heard of coats on the bridge, now meet shoes on the trail

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on June 5, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

The same minds that are determined to make sure everyone in the city is warm during the winter are hoping to keep everyone walking comfortably with their newest initiative.

Helen Snortland and Kym Porter, organizers of the annual “Coats on Finlay” winter clothing exchange, are taking on a new event with the same concept, all for a new purpose, said Snortland.

“It’s called Take a Walk in the Park, and it’s going to be Sunday, July 13 from 1-4 p.m. in Riverside Veterans Memorial Park,” said Snortland. “I got the idea from a person who runs a business downtown, after our first year of Coats on Finlay.”

The concept itself is similar: residents are asked to bring any footwear in good condition that they would be willing to part with down to the park and line them along the walking trails, so other people can take them free of charge.

Snortland encourages people to leave shoes, come and take them, or both, ensuring everyone is able to own a pair that fits well.

“So many of us buy that pair of shoes, and all of a sudden we realize maybe we didn’t need them, or they don’t fit quite right, so they sit in a closet,” said Snortland. “Or we’ve ended up with four pairs of runners instead of just one. Let’s put them to good use.”

The shoes will be left in the park overnight, and collected the morning of July 14, when they will then be distributed to various organizations in the area to ensure they reach those who might need them.

Snortland said that while it will be the middle of summer, they will be accepting all shoe types, from sandals to winter boots, allowing for people to hopefully look ahead at the seasons to come and prepare accordingly.

“We have had such great participation with our Coats on Finlay, we’ve just been so appreciative of the community and their support for the program,” said Snortland. “So we’re hoping that they’ll embrace this and that maybe it’ll be something we can make an annual thing as well.”

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