SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The Eastern Shore Centre will be one busy location Saturday.

The American Heart Association’s “Start! Heart Walk” will begin at 8:30 a.m., the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will be at the fountain from noon to 2 p.m. and it’s Safe Kids Day at the fountain from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Start! Walking

Walkers can come out and take a step in the right direction to raise funds and awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

The walk is aimed to promote a heart-healthy lifestyle with physical activity and to raise funds to help save lives, according to heart.org, the association’s official Web site.

“We’re very excited about the walk being there,” Cathi Demers, regional director for the Baldwin County association, said. “It’s such a great area.”

“We’re walking for the purpose to raise critical funds for cardiovascular research, education and advocacy.”

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the fountain courtyard. The walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. Registration is free, but those participating are encouraged try to raise money for the association. The goal for the walk is $138,000, Demers said.

There is a 5K path — about 3.2 miles — and a one-mile path, Demers said.

“Many families come out with their children and strollers and enjoy the walk,” Demers said.

Dogs, however, are not allowed at the centre, she said.

Tents will be set up around the fountain with information and activities for families.

So far 40 teams are signed up for the walk; other, individual walkers will really add to total participation, Demers said.

This is the second year the association has had a county-wide walk, Demers said. The association’s goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010, according to the Web site. Since 1924 the association has helped protect lives against cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with stroke coming in at No. 3. An estimated 80.7 million American adults have one or more types of cardiovascular disease. The highest population of those ages 60 and older, where it is estimated that 38 million have cardiovascular disease, the Web site said.

Healthy eating and exercise are the first two things to help prevent the risk of developing these diseases. Yearly, about 780,000 people may experience a new or recurring stroke. An estimated 777,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack this year. An estimated 430,000 will have a recurring attack, the Web site said.

To register online visit http://baldwincountyheartwalk.kintera.org.

A jungle out there

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will be at the fountain courtyard at the Eastern Shore Centre from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. 

The zoo opened in 1989 as Zooland Animal Park in Gulf Shores. In 1991, the Ward family created the Zoo Foundation, a nonprofit  corporation that donated 17 acres of real estate that makes up the zoo today. Thirteen acres were donated by the Ward family three years later and still remain today.

The zoo has tigers, lions, monkeys, bears and even some native species. It also has tiger encounters, for $25 for children ages 4 to 12 and $50 for adults. Encounters for children should have reservations due to the need to use young cubs for the encounter, according to alabamagulfcoastzoo.org, the zoo’s official Web site.

To see more of the 290 animals at the zoo, visit it daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1204 Gulf Shores Parkway.

Admission including tax is $10 for adults ages 12 to 54; $8 for seniors 55 and older; $7 for children 3 to 12; and children under 2 are admitted free.

Safe yourselves

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is Safe Kids Day at the fountain courtyard at the Eastern Shore Centre.

The Spanish Fort Police Department will fingerprint children free of charge; the Beadazzling Brooke will make ID bracelets for kids for $3; and children and parents will learn backpack safety from Dr. Leslie Bryan of Bayside Chiropractic.

Cotton candy will also be available, as well as face painting, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, The Little Gym, Kid’s Paint and Pals Studio, SCS Sport Karate, Fit for Life with Dr. Renee Lopez of Lopez Chiropractic and Sgt. Robin Snider of the Daphne Police Department, who will teach kid safety and DARE — Drug Abuse Resistance Education.