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Waiver and Liability
Participants must complete the below waiver before joining us on any portion of the march.
Daily Schedule
As this is an active event, all times are estimates and depend on keeping the group in tact. Please pay attention to our socials if you would like to join midday on any of our marches.
Thursday:
Please arrive at Fountain Street Church by 7:00 AM for registration, load-in of vehicles, and walker welcome.
Our press conference will begin at 7:30 AM.
- Departure: 8:00 AM from Fountain Street Church
- Halfway Point: west of Ada - lunch to be served from support vehicles
- Estimated Arrival: 6:00 PM at 865 Lincoln Lake Ave, SE, Lowell
- Potluck Dinner in Lowell: 6:30 PM
- Education Event: late evening
Total Distance: 16.8 MILES
Route Notes:
M21 out of GR and into Lowell to Hudson St. North on Hudson to 865 Lincoln Lake Ave
Around 3:30/4ish we reach sidewalks west of Lowell just east of Veroncia St SE and M21 and have them for 2.3 miles
Once we reach the center of Lowell, turn left on Hudson. We have sidewalks for approximately half a mile to .75 miles
Walk approximately 1.2 miles to 865 Lincoln Lake Ave SE, Lowell
Friday:
- Breakfast: 7:00 AM
- Departure: 8:00 AM from 865 Lincoln Lake Ave, SE, Lowell
- Halfway Point: Morrison Lake Road- lunch to be served from support vehicles
- Estimated Arrival: 5:30 PM at Ionia Fairgrounds, 317 S Dexter St., Ionia
- Potluck Dinner in Ionia: 6:00 PM
Total Distance: 16.4 MILES
Route Notes:
M21 to Ionia Fairgrounds 317 S Dexter St.
Turn right out of church driveway and walk south on Hudson to e Main st.
Sidewalks pick up approximately half a mile south of the church.
Turn left on e Main/m21
Sidewalks end approximately .7 miles later on m21. Approximately half an hour of sidewalks in the morning
NO STOPPING: We pass Bellamy Creek corrections and Ionia Corrections. Do not stop on roadway in this area.
4:30/5pm: We have sidewalks for approximately 1.3 miles (half an hour) Haynor Road and Bluewater Hwy/m21 before we arrive at Ionia Fairgrounds
Saturday:
- Breakfast: 7:00 AM
- Departure: 8:00 AM from Ionia Fairgrounds, 317 S Dexter St., Ionia
- Halfway Point: M66 and Grand River Ave - lunch to be served from support vehicles
- Estimated Arrival: 4:30 PM at Alton Park, 501 E Grand River Ave, Portland
- Shuttles to private location for overnight and potluck
- Potluck Dinner in Portland: 6:00 PM
Total Distance: 15.3 MILES
Route Notes:
M66 to e Grand River Ave to Powers Park splash pad 208 w Bridge st
Leaving Ionia Fairgrounds, head south on m66 approximately 7.8 miles
SAFETY CONCERN: when leaving Ionia fairgrounds, stay on the west side of the street (with flow of traffic) because there is a blind curve with no visibility and narrow sidewalk.
Cross at next stop light and stay on east side of m66
Turn LEFT onto e Grand River Ave (after approximately 7.8 miles) at NUVU fuels
Continue on Grand River to Powers Park 208 W Bridge St, Portland
Splash pad at the park!
Very few sidewalks on this day
This will be our pickup location for drivers to take us to accommodations
Sunday:
- Breakfast: 7:00 AM
- Departure: 8:00 AM from
- Alton Park, 501 E Grand River Ave, Portland
- Halfway Point: Grand Road and Grand River Highway- lunch to be served from support vehicles
- Estimated Arrival: 3:30 PM at Jaycee Park, 525 E River St, Grand Ledge
- Potluck Dinner at Jaycee Park: 5:30 PM
- Shuttles to private location for overnight and potluck
Total Distance: 14.1 MILES
Route Notes:
Grand River Avenue to Wright Road (m100 / Clinton in Grand Ledge) to slight right on Bridge st to e River st to Jaycee Park 525 E River st
Starting at Powers Park on Grand River Avenue.
East on Grand River Avenue (business 96)
Meet time 8:00am: Sidewalks for approximately 1.3 miles from Powers Park to 96, half an hour?
Turn right on Wright Road
Wright Road (m100 / Clinton in Grand Ledge)
slight right on Bridge st
Turn right on e River st to Jaycee Park 525 E River st
Sidewalks pick up again after 12 miles / 6 hours at Winstanley blvd
2 pm Sunday - sidewalk friendly march at Winstanley and Wright Road
Half an hour ish to Jaycee Park 525 E River st
Monday:
- Breakfast: 7:00 AM
- Departure from Grand Ledge at 9:00 AM Jaycee Park, 525 E River St, Grand Ledge
- All new march attendees - please arrive at Jaycee Park by 8:30 AM
- 4:00 PM Departure Time from Noosh Afghan Cuisine
- 5:30 PM: Arrive at capitol building for rally and press conference
Total Distance: 10.7 MILES
At the conclusion of our rally at the State Capitol building our driver volunteers will begin shuttling people back to their start location.
Guidelines and Tips
We expect walkers of all abilities to join us for partial, full-day, and entire length of our march. Here's a few details to keep in mind:
1. We will maintain a pace of approximately 2.5 miles/hour. This will keep us on schedule for each of our routes and should accommodate varying abilities.
2. Supplies: we plan to have a supply vehicle which will be along the route with us with water and snacks. We expect you to be able to load your individual pack into this vehicle. Personal supply items can include:
- Multiple changes of socks per day.
- Multiple pairs of shoes or hiking boots with support - as individual needs require. Suggested a comfortable pair of shoes for campsites/evening activities.
- Wicking clothing that covers areas that rub such as armpits, thighs, and other sensitive areas. If you plan to walk multiple days, it can be tempting to overpack, be cognizant of what can be carried.
- Small first aid supplies. We are working on medical volunteers, but it is always helpful to keep a small stash of band-aids, OTC pain relief and allergen treatments, and other first aid items or needed medication on your person.
- Bug protection: Ticks are having a record year in Michigan and we will be in spaces with high grass.
- Hats and sun protection. Our route is intentionally planned along busier roads, concrete is hot and reflective.
- Personal wipes. There will not be access to showers or bathing facilities.
- Personal Hygiene items: please bring appropriate items for yourself. We will have water but sanitation will be limited.
3. Toileting.
It is imperative that we do not relieve ourselves on private property, at all times. We will bring camp toilets, which consist of gallon buckets, with us. Where available, we will utilize public washrooms during our march and overnight stays. We will take regular bathroom breaks and work together to provide protection while utilizing these tools - i.e., we'll hold sheets/blankets to block views for one another.
4. Pack It In, Pack It Out. Please practice principles of Leave No Trace in all spaces we occupy during this 5-day event.
5. Buddy System. It's great to have a teammate who you can regularly check up with for encouragement and support. Find a friend every day and keep an eye on one another.
6. Emergency Contacts. We will ask that everyone walking with us fills in an emergency contact form each day they are present. We will provide this information at the beginning of each day and/or when you join the group.
7. Socials. We will be keeping our social media updated with locations and timeline! Please follow, share, and interact, we'd love to have you tag along, even for a few hours!
8. Parking. Please utilize public park n' ride spaces, carpool, and get dropped off where you can. You are responsible for where your vehicle is left.