TrailBlazers Unite
Hikers lace up their shoes for health and history
By Jane Peterson
Photos: Oakland County Parks and Recreation
When park visitors share their ideas, the results can be amazing.
After years of being part of Red Oaks Waterpark’s River Walk program, where participants walk for fitness in the 990-foot, slow-moving lazy river after hours, a group of dedicated participants were ready for another challenge that extended beyond the Madison Heights, Mich. waterpark. They shared their thoughts with Oakland County Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor Sandy Dorey.
“They expressed to us their need for something where they could get out and explore the parks,” she says, “but they still wanted to be part of a group and share a collective experience. We developed the TrailBlazer Walking Series because of their feedback, and it has been a phenomenal program.”
The concept behind TrailBlazers is simple: Each week, participants meet at a different park and walk for an hour on paved or natural trails. The group is guided by a naturalist, citizen scientist, historian, or nature-center staff member who provides fun, interesting facts about the park—all while walking for fitness. Walk leaders are trained by a parks archivist in the history of the parks, and natural-resources staff members provide instruction on various park features, including plants and wildlife.
“People love the combination of history, nature, and fitness,” Dorey says. “Oakland County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) has 13 parksand people tend to visit their favorite one or the one closest to their home or work. This program allows them to see everything we have to offer and encourages them to explore areas of the parks system that they may not have otherwise thought about visiting.”
Dawn Withrow of Pontiac attended every TrailBlazer program last year, rain or shine. She appreciated the variety of topics, which ranged from strategies for stopping oak wilt and learning about bats to exploring vernal ponds and discovering rare habitats.
“Although I was born and raised in Oakland County, I had only been to a couple of the county parks. This series promised an opportunity to see the parks along with other people, get in some steps and was combined with a chance to learn something,” Withrow says. “I enjoyed the diversity of the topics. Mixing topics for animals and plants along with history kept the program from becoming monotonous. The knowledge and passion that each presenter had of and for their topics made each week interesting.”
Hitting The Trails
It’s hard to believe it has only been two years since the TrailBlazer program kicked off with a series of six walks. Due to increased demand, in 2019, the series expanded to 15 walks, including three that were classified as extreme hikes due to the terrain and level of climbing.
This year promises to be the biggest yet. In addition to adding three more walks to the schedule for a total of 18, Dorey is planning two spin-off programs: TrailBlazer—Fit and TrailBlazer—Try It.
TrailBlazer—Fit adds a fitness component to the walk. Scheduled weekly from 5 to 6 p.m., it will be geared toward county employees as well as the general public. Participants will complete a brief workout and then take an early-evening walk alternating between Waterford Oaks and Catalpa Oaks county parks.
TrailBlazer—Try It expands the group experience to the park system’s other outdoor activities, including kayaking, archery, geocaching, and snowshoeing.
“Many of our TrailBlazer walkers are active adults, and while they may not go to a park on their own to try archery for the first time, it is an activity they would consider if they were with other people and there was a group leader to provide instruction,” Dorey says.
One of Withrow’s favorite hikes is at Holly Oaks ORV Park. In September 2019, the park was under development on the site of a former and active sand and gravel mining operation.
“Who knew there was so much to learn about a sand/gravel pit? It was very informative,” she says. “The Holly Oaks ORV Park was great if only for the one-time novelty of it.”
The park, which will be jointly operated by OCPR and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is expected to open in July 2020.
Targeting A Key Demographic
The idea for TrailBlazers started with a core group of participants, but it has grown to include people across the county. Oakland County is the second-most populous county in Michigan, with more than 1.2-million residents, according to the 2010 census. The average age of residents is 37 years old.
While traditionally known for providing recreation for children and families, OCPR wanted to reach out to all individuals with the objective of introducing them to the parks. In the end, the program has developed into so much more.
Attendees have developed friendships, and they encourage one another to work toward their fitness goals. They make plans to attend other OCPR programs, such as the Over 50 After-Hours Swim at Red Oaks Waterpark, and continue to be a driving force behind the park system’s Active Adult programming.
Keeping Everyone Healthy
Walking is a simple activity that offers a myriad of health benefits, including boosting mood and reducing stress. Swapping out a cell phone for a water bottle provides a way to unwind, connect with nature, and interact with people.
During the walks, participants logged an average of 3,300 steps, says Dorey.
“Many participants enjoy the socialization aspect, and they will continue walking other paths to get in even more steps after the TrailBlazer program ends,” she says.
In 2018, more than a dozen people attended each of the six TrailBlazer walks. In 2019, that number jumped to 15 to 20 walkers, reflecting both increased interest and expanded opportunities.
The TrailBlazer program is free, but participants are charged daily park-entry fees and are encouraged to purchase an Annual Vehicle Permit.
Costs to provide the program are minimal, with the bulk of the budget allocated for staff expenses. Dorey recommends starting out small and building from there. Other tips:
Because the program is at a different site each week, provide proper signage.
Reach out to walking groups at community centers and malls, local scout troops, and senior centers, in addition to marketing the program via social media, flyers, and email.
Have a process in place for cancellations. TrailBlazers is canceled only if it is storming, but people would call if it was raining.
Have the same staff members work at each event. Staff will build a rapport with walkers and be better equipped to answer questions and gather contact information from new participants.
Use the program to strengthen community partnerships. OCPR worked with the Oakland County Health Division to provide insect-repellant wipes and education about mosquito-borne illnesses, such as the West Nile virus.
“The TrailBlazer walking series has been a fantastic way for us to showcase various trails throughout our parks and share other programming efforts,” Dorey says.
Jane Peterson is a Technical Assistant, Communications & Marketing representative for Oakland County Parks and Recreation. Reach her at petersonjm@oakgov.com.