For immediate release - March 7, 2019
Press contact: Jessica VanGinhoven, 616-738-4810

High resolution images for re-production can be downloaded here.

Parks & Public Health team up to offer Step it Up! Walking Program free in Ottawa & Allegan counties

In order to help participants stay active throughout the program there are weekly guided walks, with varying pace groups, offered for free in both Ottawa and Allegan County Parks. New this year: group walks in Ottawa County will also include a short, body weight strength training program prior to the walk with the help of Cari Draft from EcoTrek Fitness, the Tri-Cities Family YMCA, and Jessie Riley from the Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging.  

To encourage participants to discover new recreational activities, the program offers opportunities to try kayaking, biking, orienteering, disc golf, and a thru-hike. These activities and necessary equipment are free-of-charge to registered participants who are recording their activity.

"Step it Up! has helped participants get more active, meet people, and discover parks for four years. The new activities we offered last year motivated more people to sign up and try something that they wouldn't have otherwise. We hope the same for this year," said Ottawa County Parks spokesperson, Jessica VanGinhoven. "Beginners are welcomed and encouraged... this is the time to try something new!"  Participants can also see their progress along a virtual trail. "The Ottawa County GIS Department creates a virtual map for each season of Step it Up! to show participants how many miles they can travel in just two months," said VanGinhoven. "You can really see how much your progress adds up over time." Data in chart was taken from the 2018 post survey results.

 The challenge begins on April 23.
Commit to fit & register by April 16: miOttawa.org/Step it Up

Organization Involvement "In addition to being an excellent program for individuals, it's also fun program to do with a group," said VanGinhoven. "Many county and OAISD employees participate together. Walking with your co-workers is great accountability and out-of-office team building."  To learn more about how to bring Step it Up! to your company or organization this spring or to schedule a group presentation, contact Jessica VanGinhoven or Amy Sheele.

How effective is this program? 

• In 2018, over 1,000 participants enrolled in Step it Up! (a 235% increase from the previous year)
• 20% of enrollees were returning participants
• Over 65% of participants reported an improvement in their health, an increase in physical activity, visiting a new park, and exercising outdoors more

“The adventure activities were terrific! The navigation was fun and informative, and introduced me to a new park. The disc golf was an activity I likely would never have tried if not for this opportunity.” -- 2018 Step it Up! participant (via post program survey)