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Welcome to Week 1

It's time to start recording your steps!

Make sure to get your Week 1 activity in the system by Wednesday, May 1 to be eligible to win a 2019 Parks permit. Keep recording your steps with our step tracker until June 16 and be eligible for prizes each week. 

Tracking URL to bookmark: miOttawa.org/stepitup

As always, there is lots of info in this email, scroll down to:

• See the full schedule for group walks & activities
• Check out other local walks & events you might be interested in 

Volunteers

We are always looking for Group Walk volunteers. If you are interested in being a Group Walk volunteer, sign up here. Volunteers are paired up with Naturalists Guides and bring up the rear of the group to make sure no one is left behind. That usually means a slower walk for you, but your help is greatly appreciated. If you sign up to be a volunteer, you do NOT have to also RSVP for the walk. 

Printable Step it Up Group Walk & Activity Schedule
*with registration links*

Group Walks - Full Schedule

Unless otherwise noted, all parks offer accessible/stroller-friendly trails. Children are always welcome on group walks. Dogs are welcome on-leash on all walks except at Rosy Mound Natural Area.

At group walks in Ottawa County, participants can expect four walking groups: long-distance, slow-paced; long-distance, fast-paced; short-distance, slow-paced; short-distance, fast-paced. Walks will begin promptly at the time listed below. Arrive 15 minutes early for information about the park and a half hour early for strength training.

Group walks are rain or shine. 

***You do not need to print Eventbrite tickets!***

Group Activities - Full Schedule

You must register for Group Activities. Space is limited, so please only register for the activities you are available for. 

Learn more about the activities by clicking on the RSVP link. 

More walking groups... you asked and we listened!

Many of you have requested that Step it Up be a year round program. We are unable to offer that, but have a plan to offer group walks at different locations all throughout the year! We have a fantastic group of volunteers who are going to make it happen! In a few weeks, you will receive a complete list of the various walk locations/times/days of the week and we will launch this new Ottawa Walks program after Step It Up ends. But, for those of you that are ready to get out and start walking now with a neighborhood group, here are some options:

1) Group walk with a Registered Dietitian
Wednesdays at 5:30 pm – locations vary. Pre-registration is required to obtain schedule (registration is easy and free!). Register at: http://www.spectrumhealth.org/zeeland (Go to the classes and events tab and then health and fitness tab and complete form) or call # (616) 772-4644.

Walk is approximately 1-2 miles and you can talk with the dietitian or ask questions while walking. Also covers a brief health topic each week. *These walks are happening now – feel free to join in, but be sure to register!

2) Saturday mornings at 8:30 am, Grand Ravines in Jenison
Meet near the windmill at Grand Ravines South (dog park entrance). These walks will start Saturday, April 27 at 8:30 am and will be offered every Saturday, unless otherwise noted here. No RSVP is required – just show up and be ready to walk! 

Click here for more info about Grand Ravines.

Please keep in mind that the two walks listed above are led by volunteers, not naturalist guides. There will not be any pace groups or maps. It's just another chance to get some steps in as a group.