2002

Washtenaw County Public Health Department’s 2000 Health Improvement Plan (HIP) survey results revealed that Saline area residents had a higher rate of adult smokers, a higher rate of obese and overweight people, and a lower rate of physical activity.  Mayor Gretchen Driskell convened a task force comprised of CQC (Coalition for a Quality Community) members and staff from the Rec Center, which met in November 2002 and agreed to meet monthly after the CQC meeting and brainstorm ideas on what a health initiative task force could do in the community.  Mayor Gretchen Driskell agreed to chair the group and Leslee Niethammer agreed to take minutes.  In the next several months, other groups were invited: school lunch program staff, M-FIT, and Washtenaw County.

2003

Joanne Grosh and Becky Pazkowski from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital presented “Healthy Communities”, a program sponsored by Chelsea Hospital that involved the 3 communities of Chelsea, Dexter and Manchester.  Planning took place for participation in a local event, Fitness, Food & Fun held at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School on April 27, 2003.  The event was successful, and PUPS agreed to participate the following year.  In 2004 the event was moved to Saline Rec Center and coordinated by Rec Center staff.

In July a mission statement – “The purpose of this group is to promote healthy living by engaging in fun physical activities as a community” – and a name – Pick Up the Pace, Saline! (PUPS) were both created.

After some discussion and in collaboration with the Recreation Center, the Kick-Off Walk of a monthly walking program began in September 2003 with 40 people in attendance, who each received a free pedometer after completing the walk.  Community Education and Saline Recreation Center funded the pedometers.

2004

A monthly community walk held the last Sunday of every month at 2 pm was established, with approximately 20 people participating at the beginning.  By the end of 2004 there were 2 – 4 people showing up.

2005

Washtenaw County Public Health’s Steps Up program provided state grant funding for a variety of projects.  This first year $3,000 of implementation money funded the printing of 5,000 full-color walking maps designed by Chelsea graphic artist Scott Eckland.  Similar maps were created for Dexter, Chelsea, Manchester and Ypsilanti.

PUPS applied for $3,500 funding from CARES for the purpose of a pedometer program.  The grant was awarded but the money was never spent.

2006

There was another round of state funding available and PUPS applied for and received $23,170.

The Depot Trail was developed and coordinated by David Rhoads who worked with Heritage Landscaping and the Stone & Thistle Garden Club in creating the trail, which cost $15,535.

A large walking map was installed on the brick wall of KeyBank at the corner of Michigan Ave and N. Ann Arbor St.  The dedication ceremony for both the walking map and the Depot Trail was held on September 24^th, with 32 people in attendance.

Community walks continued with better attendance, particularly after the Depot Trail dedication.  In collaboration with the Saline Area Historical Society, PUPS held a ghost walk, narrated by Bob Lane for 25 very interested participants.

PUPS members attended Safe Routes to Schools meetings beginning in February and participated in the first Walk to School Day.

Calesta and Chad Harrison were interested in starting a community garden and came to PUPS for support and advice.  PUPS adopted the project and used state funds to implement the plan.

2007

Year #2 of the state grants provided $29,074 for the following projects: trail enhancements ($10,000), railroad lease ($500), benches, bike racks, trash containers ($12,000), PR campaign ($3,000), and community garden ($3,574).

PUPS completed a Smokefree Assessment of the Saline area, and participated in the National Walk to School campaign.

The community walks began in June with the professional expertise of Design Hub, a local marketing firm.  Attendance at the walks swelled to an average of 44 during the summer months due to the media exposure, the merchant sponsors, and the free tee shirts.  Walk time changed to Saturday mornings at 9 am.  Two local citizens created a Historic Homes Walk for December 9 and attracted many interested people, along with a Volksmarch walk earlier on the same day, which drew 41 walkers from the surrounding areas.

2008

PUPS was awarded a $1,200 grant from CARES to repair the round sculpture on the Depot Trail that was vandalized over the winter months of 2007.

Year #3 of the state grants was $17,000 in funding, with $8,500 matching funds from the City for the repair and improvements to the Max Adler Trail located in Curtiss Park.  Improvements included limestone paths, culverts, benches and a boardwalk over some low places.  The dedication ceremony was on October 25^th, with low attendance.

The community walks began in May and ended in October, with an average of 10 walkers each month.  The October walk, in partnership with the Library and the Historical Society, was an exception – Bob Lane toured the cemetery and told stories about some of the more colorful characters in Saline’s past.  There were at least 60 people on the cemetery walk.

The annual Fun, Food & Fitness event, held in the spring, attracted over 400 people to the Recreation Center.

The Washtenaw Bicycle & Walking Coalition presented a plan for creating a bike & pedestrian walkway over the I-94 bridge at Saline Ann Arbor Rd.  They will seek grant funding for this project.

The Safe Routes to Schools group received state funding to build a midpoint pedestrian crosswalk on Woodland Dr.

Community Gardens received a $4,000 CARES grant to purchase rain barrels, gutters, a cedar shed and a 9’ gravel path leading to the gardens.  Community Education formally “adopted” the Community Gardens and will include the garden in their adult programming.

2009

The Michigan Department of Community Health provided funds to Washtenaw County Public Health Steps Up program again.  PUPS was awarded $5,000, with a matching grant of $1,250 from the City to develop a Non-Motorized Transportation Plan for the City of Saline.  A committee met monthly to create the Plan, and public hearings were held to solicit public input.

The Non-Motorized Transportation Plan for the City of Saline was accepted by City Council on November 2^nd.  This plan will provide direction for the City in developing “complete streets” – a philosophical concept that creates streets for every method of transport.

Community walks resumed in April, with low attendance.  The Brecon Village Memory Support Center dedication was held at the conclusion of the August walk, so invitations went out to Brecon Village supporters to join the PUPS walk.  Walks held in conjunction with other events are likely to draw larger participation.

PEAC (Programs to Educate All Cyclists) joined PUPS and coordinated a monthly community bike ride, held on the second Monday of every month at 6:30 pm.  Riders started at City Hall and rode around town.  PEAC provided bikes for anyone who needed one.  The first ride attracted 35 cyclists.  A neighborhood ride occurred first, and then a voluntary longer ride ended the evening.

A CARES (Cultural Arts Recreation Enrichment & Seniors) grant for $3,000 was awarded for a second printing of the 2005 Saline walking maps.

A FY09/10 State grant of $3,000 was awarded with a required $1,000 match from the City.  After reviewing several street projects, it was decided to stripe bike lanes on Woodland Dr. between Maple Road and Industrial Drive.  Striping will occur in Spring 2010.

Dan Burden, a walkability expert conducted two walkability audits in the City on July 17^th in conjunction with MDOT.  This could give the City an advantage when applying for grants.