Print Edition: October 18, 2008
Printable Cadillac Walkways Chart
TAKE A WALK THIS RECESSION
The current recession could actually be good for you. At least that’s what research conducted by Stanford University and the University of North Carolina has determined.
Researchers found that during recessions people tend to drink less, smoke fewer cigarettes, and lose weight. They spend more time visiting elderly relatives and are more likely to look after their children themselves rather than spending money on after-school activities. They spend more time furthering their educations.
During economic downturns, people also drive less which makes the roads safer and results in cleaner air. In fact, for every point the unemployment rate rises the number of fatal car crashes decreases by 2.4 percent.
People live more environmentally responsible (green) lifestyles during recessions, too. They throw away less food, create less rubbish for landfills, and consume fewer resources. For example, they spend less money on throw away books and use the public library more often.
The university studies conclude: "While there is no such thing as a good recession, it doesn’t have to cause unmitigated gloom and despondency."
Well, it might be a bit of a reach to try to squeeze some lemonade out of the batch of lemons that is this nation’s recent economy, but if you do buy into that mind set I’d like to make a suggestion. In these trying times it might be a good idea to take advantage of some recreation that does not cost a single dime. It’s good for you, it will clear your aching head, and it will give you a chance to exchange smiles with your friends and neighbors. Simply put – take a walk.
I’m making this suggestion because Cadillac has a marvelous walkway system, recently bolstered by a new section that just opened this month. Most of you know about the McKellop Walkway along the shores of Lake Cadillac. On any given day it’s the I-75 of exercise for area citizens.
However, if you have not walked the new section of the Clam River Greenway that runs from the McKellop, past the Sound Garden, across Haynes Street and over to the corner of Lake and Wright, you are really missing a gem. Part boardwalk and part sidewalk, this new section links the McKellop with a route that now goes all the way to the soccer fields on the northeast side of town.
Adding the newest section of the Greenway means that walking the McKellop plus the Greenway, plus the White Pine Trail (from the Holly/Lake corner to Sunnyside) can score a walk of 7.58 miles. That’s more than walking the 7.2 miles around Lake Cadillac and it’s much safer because it’s all on sidewalks instead of road shoulders.
Now, because people see me walking with my ski walking poles almost every day, I’ve often been asked about the distances of the various paths – people want to know how far they’ve walked. I’ve had a general idea, but last Saturday I decided to do some real measuring.
I was able to procure a Rolatape 400 Professional Series measuring wheel, the same kind the City of Cadillac Engineering Department uses. This wheel measures right down to the foot, so I spent the day getting accurate measurements of all the various sections of the connected walkways. I translated that data into a simple mileage chart.
Using the chart, you can piece together walks of your own and now you’ll have a way to add up your mileage. Remember, if you walk out and back on a particular section, like the White Pine Trail or the Greenway to the soccer fields, be sure to double those miles. Also, if you walk the new section of the Greenway when you cross Lake Street heading toward Mitchell look for the blue footprints on the sidewalks to lead you to the next Greenway section (that eventually goes behind Lincoln School).
The Cadillac Walkways mileage chart is below. I hope you find it useful, but even if you don’t care about distances I think you’ll find walking on these paths just delightful. For me the best part is just interacting with all of the people I encounter while I’m walking. Cadillac is just full of wonderful, friendly people.
Oh, and those poles I use. As I’ve stated in columns before, they are from SkiWalking.com ( www.skiwalking.com ; 877-754-9255). If you see me walking with them, feel free to ask me about the benefits of walking with fitness poles. I’d be happy to fill you in. I’ll also post a copy of the mileage chart at www.neffzone.com/cadillacnews so you can download and print as many copies as you wish.
Cadillac Walkways
| Route | Miles |
| McKellop Walkway (Entire sidewalk including turn around loops at both ends) |
2.03 |
| Far West Loop (Loop behind the Senior Citizen Center that links to the west end of the McKellop) |
0.21 |
| East End Connector
(Sidewalk that connects McKellop to the corner of Holly/Lake) |
0.12 |
| White Pine Trail (From corner of Holly/Lake to Sunnyside) |
1.10 |
| Clam River Greenway - Sound Garden to Haynes (Junction of McKellop to Sound Garden to Haynes) |
0.15 |
| Haynes to Lake/Wright (Haines on new Clam River Greenway section to corner of Lake/Wright) |
0.30 |
| Lake/Wright to Clam River Greenway Entrance (Across Lake, along River, across Mitchell, to Greenway entrance across from Simons/Wheeler corner – Follow blue footprints on sidewalks) |
0.32 |
| Greenway Entrance to Ayers (Entrance to Greenway across from Simons/Wheeler to Ayers – Lincoln School) |
0.24 |
| Ayers to Smith (Behind Lincoln School) |
0.13 |
| Smith to Plett/13th – Soccer
Fields (Behind Water Treatment plant to Soccer Fields corner ) |
0.37 |
|
Compiled by Jim Neff, October 2008 |
|
Mileage for some popular walks:
*McKellop + East Connector + White Pine out and back = 4.56 miles
*McKellop + East Connector + White Pine out and back + Sound Garden to Lake and back = 5.46 miles
*Sound Garden to Soccer Fields and back = 3.02 miles
*Entire McKellop + Entire Clam River Greenway + White Pine out and back = 7.58 miles
Jim Neff is a local columnist. Comments to neffzone@gmail.com. Read Neff Zone columns online at www.neffzone.com/cadillacnews.
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