By Peggy Edwards, The Council on Aging of OttawaFirst published in the Fifty-Five Plus Magazine, January/February 2023 There is nothing like taking a walk to enjoy the beauty of the season. Walking is free and one of the best ways to stay active and healthy. We walk outdoors to get to needed destinations and public transportation, and to be with other people. Like many other pet owners, I walk three times a day with my active dog Molly—in all kinds of weather conditions. Winter can make it difficult to walk outdoors. Ottawa is increasingly challenged by winter walking hazards, including a changing climate that brings on some big snows and a thaw-freeze cycle that encourages icy, hazardous conditions. This can lead to falls and serious injuries, sometimes with long-term consequences, including chronic pain or disabling conditions that may mean loss of independence. Fear of another fall discourages an active…