In an effort to encourage people of all ages to get out and walk, the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation this week announced an Islandwide campaign to place benches along walking paths and trails. 

Dubbed Take a Break, the initiative is part of the TrailsMV effort that began with the launch of a trails app this spring, the foundation said in a press release.

Sheriff’s Meadow has launched the effort with an initial gift of $10,000 to build and place the first 10 benches, and an event was held this week at the Caroline Tuthill Preserve in Edgartown that included the dedication of a bench made from a catalpa tree grown on the Island.

Students from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School have agreed to make four to six benches a year in woodworking class. Island boys scouts have also volunteered to make benches.

Donations to the program are encouraged.

For more information about the foundation and its programs, go to sheriffsmeadow.org.