Preparing for Week 2!
This is your weekly reminder to track your activity! You can record your minutes of activity throughout the week by entering your email on the Step it Up! login page found at miottawa.org/stepitup or by selecting the Record my Activity box found below.
Select your report week and enter your minutes. The first week was April 30 to May 6. Make sure your minutes are entered by Wednesday, May 10, to be entered into the weekly prize drawing!
Scroll down to see our upcoming group activities, strength and flexibility movements of the week, healthy eating tips and recipes, and a couple of fun and free events at Ottawa County parks.
About Our Walking Groups
At each group walk, there will be two designated walking groups led by a parks staff member or a volunteer. Walking groups are differentiated by the types of trails the group will encounter, as well as the distance covered in one hour. Guides will travel at a pace that is good for their whole group.
-
Group 1: Will travel at a slower pace, following the most accessible route.
-
Group 2: Will travel at a slightly faster pace and the trail may be considered slightly more challenging, with varying topography changes, stairs and distance.
All paved paths are ADA accessible.
It is important to remember that pace is subjective. Each year, we hear from many participants who feel we go too slow, as well as those who feel we go fast. Leaders and caboose volunteers are there to provide a guided experience, which may not be at your preferred pace. If the pace isn't quite right for you, we encourage you to visit again to try the trail at a pace that feels right for you.
🛶 Group Activities This Week 👟
Wednesday, May 10 at 6:00 PM: Group Walk at Grand River Park
Upland woods, floodplain forest, restored native grasslands, wetlands ,and a small lake are some of the features you'll see at this 162-acre park along the banks of the Grand River. In addition to hiking, biking or skiing on the trails, visitors can also fish in the lake from a wooden boardwalk or enjoy the Grand River from an overlook platform. The park also features a boat launch, a fully enclosed picnic building and a playground. After a period of rain, trails can be muddy! Bring an extra pair of shoes to change into after the walk or wear water resistant boots. Dogs on leash welcome!
Learn more about Grand River Park
See a map of the park
Saturday, May 13 at 10:00 AM: Kayaking at Ely Lake Campground
Ely Lake Campground offers a quality camping experience that is located close to town, but has a definite backcountry feel. Ely Lake contains 73 primitive campsites, which all are open to equestrian camping; vault toilets; and a swimming beach on Ely Lake. You will also find DNR Public Access sites to both Ely and Little Tom Lakes. Ely has a “no motor” rule, so bring your kayak, canoe or rowboat!
No registration required; this is a "drop-in" activity.
Learn more about Ely Lake Campground
Upcoming Parks Department Activities
Wednesday, May 10, 8:00 - 10:00 AM: Bird Walk at Pine Bend Park
Whether you are an avid birder or are just desiring to experience birds beyond your backyard, join us and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of spring bird migration. Trail conditions vary depending on the park. Be prepared for muddy and wet trails.
Registration not required, but appreciated.
Friday, May 12, 6:00 - 8:00 PM: Walk with a Forester - White Oak Initiative at Stearns Park
Come and hike through beautiful Stearns Creek Park with district forester Ben Savoie! Speakers from Ottawa County Parks, the Michigan DNR, and the Ottawa Conservation District will talk about the history of oak management on the property, and how you can bring these practices to your land. Those interested in attending can RSVP by registering for this free event.
Registration appreciated.
Saturday, May 13, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Eat Green. Stay Active. Live Well. at Pigeon Creek Lodge
Give yourself a nutritional boost, change up your routine, and rediscover healthy eating and the outdoors at its best! Enjoy this class set against the majestic landscapes of woodlands, shorelines, dunes, and hopefully, some sunshine! You'll explore nutritious ways to indulge in springtime’s freshest flavors, taste the ‘pick of the patch,’ and discover top seasonal and delicious superstars to power up your plate. Be inspired, get expert tips, spectacular recipes, the latest nutrition news, and natural foodie finds.
Registration required, $55 class fee.
Saturday, May 13, 3:00 - 5:00 PM: Astronomy Day at Hemlock Crossing Observatory
Come join the Shoreline Amateur Astronomers for an afternoon in the park. We will be outdoors at the Astronomical Observatory for demonstrations and displays of astronomical events. There will be special telescopes set up to observe the Sun (which may include sunspots, possible prominences, and solar flares), and we will be giving tours of the Observatory and Telescope. Following the outdoor activities, there will be an 8:00 PM presentation on the summer sky in the Nature Center.
Registration appreciated.
Saturday, May 13, 3:00 - 4:30 PM: Rock Walk at the Nature Center
Come discuss the origins and types of rocks found on our planet and learn to identify those that are found in our state. After our talk, we'll test our skill at identifying some rocks in our hands-on lab, and then take a walk to look at some representative rocks from around the state of Michigan.
Registration appreciated.
May 1-14: Seeds Move! Storywalk at Paw Paw Park-East
Take a StoryWalk® at Paw Paw Park East! In collaboration with Herrick Library, this StoryWalk® features "Seeds Move!" by Robin Page. Pages from this picture book will be posted on signs along the path for your family to read together, along with ideas for things to look for and do as you walk! The story is available to read as you stroll along the path/trail.
No registration required.
Storywalks: A Family Fun Activity
Storywalks are a great way to get your whole family outside and walking! Pages from a featured book will be posted along a path for you and your family to read together. Stories are available during park hours.
- May 1 - 14: Seeds Move! by Robin Page at Paw Paw Park East
- May 15 - 28: You are Here by Zach Manbeck at Hemlock Crossing
- May 29 - June 11: Over in the Forest by Marianne Berkes at Hawthorn Park Natural Area
- June 5 - June 23: Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez at Paw Paw Park East, brought to you in partnership with 5210, Let's Go!
- June 12 - June 25: Out of Nowhere by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros at Riley Trails
- June 19 - June 25: Summer Color! by Diana Murray at Hemlock Crossing
- June 30 - July 16: Green on Green by Dianne Whitte at Paw Paw Park West
- July 7 - July 21: Now by Antoinette Portis at Connor Bayou, brought to you in partnership with 5210, Let's Go!
- July 17 - July 30: Look and Listen by Dianne White at Pine Bend
- July 31 - August 18: The Hike by Alison Farrell at Hemlock Crossing, brought to you in partnership with 5210, Let's Go!
- July 31 - August 18: A Perfect Day by Lane Smith at Paw Paw Park East
- August 14 - August 27: Bird Watch by Christie Matheson at Riley Trails
5210, Let's Go! is an easy-to-remember plan to help you and your family implement healthy habits, including drinking fewer sugary drinks, making healthy food choices, reducing screen time, and adding physical activity into your daily routine. More information to come soon!
|
Four Pointes Telephone Reassurance Program
Four Pointes offers free phone-based service connecting seniors with calls from kind and compassionate volunteers.
Calls can be received up to five days a week. No membership required.
To make a referral for yourself or someone you love,
please call 616.842.9210.
Four Pointes mission is to promote the vitality, independence and
well-being of older adults in the North Ottawa County community by providing needed services and information, encouraging recreation and lifelong learning and advocating for solutions to issues of aging.
Learn more about programs and services
💪🏽Movements of the Week
from EcoTrek Fitness🧘🏼♂️
Warm Up Activities on 8.5" x 11" printable page
Warm Up Activities on 5.5" x 8.5" printable page
Videos of the individual movements and the full warm up can be found here.
This week's healthy and delicious recipe, provided by Step it Up! program partner Ottawa Food.
Recipe for Mediterranean Salad
About Ottawa Food: Ottawa Food is a collaborative effort of over 45 agencies and individuals in Ottawa County to ensure our community has access to healthy, local, and affordable food. Formerly the Ottawa County Food Policy Council, our members come from a variety of backgrounds: public health, food pantries, human service organizations, farmers, community members, Feeding America West Michigan, the MSU Extension, and more. Learn more at OttawaFood.org
Fruits and vegetables are super flexible superfoods!
All forms—fresh, frozen, canned and dried can be part of a healthy diet. They are among the most versatile, convenient and affordable foods you can eat. If selecting canned, frozen or dried choose those with little or no added salt or sugar. Give yourself a whole-body health boost by eating more fruits and vegetables every day. A healthy eating plan full of fresh fruits and vegetables can help lower your risk of many serious and chronic health conditions including heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. They are also essential to your everyday health. Tips above from the American Heart Association.
Learn more:
Eat More Color | 5 Reasons to Eat More Color
Head to your kitchen for starters to keep your whole body feeling good. Delicious sweet berries and sharp red onion are combined in this Red Berry Salad with balsamic vinegar and a hint of basil to make a nutritious classic quick salad. Embrace more of the season’s freshest ingredients with these spring salads too— Spring Glow Salad with Chive Vinaigrette, Carrot Radish & Beet Salad with Apricot, Roasted Vegetable Sandwiches with Zesty White Bean Spread and Quinoa and Goat Cheese Collard Rolls
Tips and recipes are provided by Angela Venderley, a professional Nutritionist & Certified Fitness Trainer with Nutrition, Health, Fitness & Sport Group LLC, a Step it Up! program partner.
Step It Up! Group Activity Schedule
Find a list of all the Step it Up! activity dates and locations:
miottawa.org/stepitup
Step it Up! is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, under 1 NB01OT009436-01-00.
Questions: Contact Rajvir Kaur at rkaur@miottawa.org
|
