Welcome to Step it Up!
We are excited to kick off the 2023 season! We hope you will join us for a small kick-off event after our first group walk at Hemlock Crossing on May 2. Come enjoy some fresh pressed juice and healthy snacks after the walk!
On Monday afternoon of each week, you will receive an email like this highlighting:
• Upcoming group activities
• Information on fun, park events you are invited to join
• The strength and flexibility movements of the week
• Healthy eating tips and/or recipes
And…a 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. You will select your report week and enter your minutes. The first week is April 30 to May 6. Make sure your weekly minutes are entered by Wednesday of the following week to be entered into the weekly prize drawing!
Get ready and commit to move!
🛶 Group Activities Begin May 2 👟
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.
Tuesday, May 2 at 6:00 PM: Group Walk at Hemlock Crossing
Hemlock Crossing, home of the Ottawa County Parks Nature Center, includes 6 miles of trail along the Pigeon River. Trails include ADA paved trails, natural surface trails, some stairs, and elevation. Modern restrooms are available at the trailhead. Dogs are allowed on leash. The Nature Center is open year-round, Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 - 5:00 PM. During the winter season, park visitors can rent snowshoes at the nature center or bring their own cross-country skis to explore the winter wonderland.
 Stick around after the walk and enjoy fresh pressed juice from a local Black-owned business, Juices by Elaine, as well as healthy snacks and a chance to mingle with the other walkers!
Upcoming Park Activities
Sunday, April 30 from 10:00 - 11:30 AM: Beginner Birding at Connor Bayou
Are you new to birding or want to get started? Would you like to gain some basic skills to help you enjoy this wonderful pastime? This bird walk will introduce you to binocular use, bird identification and field guides and, of course, to the common birds in our parks.
Registration not required, but appreciated.
Sunday, April 30 from 1:30 - 3:00 PM: Eat Green. Stay Active. Live Well. at Nature Center Classroom
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.
 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!
|
 Each week, we'll bring you healthy and delicious recipes, provided by Step it Up! program partner Ottawa Food.
Photo credit: Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews
|
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
  Walk. Run. Dance. Play. What's your move?
Everyone needs physical activity to stay healthy. But it can be hard to find the time in your busy routine. The Move Your Way® tools, videos, and fact sheets on Walk. Run. Dance. Play. What's your move? Move Your Way have tips that make it easier to get a little more active. And small changes can add up to big health benefits! No matter who you are, you can find safe and fun ways to get active, and to move your way. Ready to get started? Use the interactive tool to build more into your weekly activity plan.*
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.
Email: nutritionforhealthandfitness01@yahoo.com
Phone: (260) 602-3231
*Information adapted from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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
|
