Memory in Motion Brings Manchester Community Together

Nov 3, 2026

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Memory in Motion Brings Manchester Community Together for a Day of Movement, Connection and Awareness

Manchester, CT – October 3, 2026 – Sunshine, warm temperatures, and a beautiful fall day provided the perfect backdrop for Memory in Motion, a community event held along the Cheney Rail Trail to bring people together while raising awareness about memory and cognitive changes as we age. Click here to watch a short recap here.

Hosted by UR Community Cares in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association of CT, Memory in Motion was a free community event with an important message: memory and cognitive changes can affect all of us, and we can all help create opportunities for connection, movement, and community support.

The community response was tremendous.

Volunteers from M&T Bank joined UR Community Cares to help make the day possible, while the Manchester Police Department provided an important safety presence. Officers helped participants safely cross roadways, and the department also brought its all-terrain vehicle onto the Cheney Rail Trail to help monitor the trail and ensure participants could enjoy the event safely.

Participants were invited to walk the trail loop, traveling approximately one mile to West Middle Turnpike and returning one mile to Elm Street. Participants could complete the loop as many times as they wished, with a special prize waiting for them when they returned.

For individuals who were unable to walk the trail, Cycling Without Age Manchester provided free rickshaw rides. The rides offered another way for community members to participate, experience the trail, and enjoy the beautiful fall weather without having to walk the full distance.

Vats House Cafe is preparing to open on West Middle Turnpike in the coming months and joined the event with a pop-up offering fresh cider, tea, and coffee. Their warm drinks were a welcome treat on the trail, and UR Community Cares was excited to give the community a preview of what is to come.

Work_Space created a nature-inspired activity that encouraged participants to slow down, explore, and connect with the outdoors. Balloon art added another element of fun, with creative balloon animals and colorful creations being made throughout the event.

The event also brought together community leaders and organizations committed to making Manchester and the surrounding communities more connected and accessible. Representatives from Manchester Rotary, a Board of Directors member, Manchester’s Women’s Club, Bike Walk Bolton, and Senator MD Rahman joined participants for the celebration.

More than a walk, Memory in Motion was about recognizing that everyone has a role to play in creating communities where people experiencing memory or cognitive changes can remain active, connected, and included.