History

History of Historic Pathwalkers

member club of the American Volkssport Association

written by former club secretary Rita Perry in 1995

The history of Volkssports

In the 1950s some people in Southern Germany wanted to create an alternative to competitive races for individuals and families. They set up Volksmarches (people walks) where everyone was a winner. The walks spread and within a few years Volkssporting became established and an international program was put in place which now involves 14 countries.

The American Volkssport Association (AVA) was founded in 1979 as a coordinating body for events in the USA. It coined the phrase, " A different kind of walk". Designed walks are available in every state along with recognition for accomplishment.

The AVA in Michigan

In 1987 the lonia County Memorial Hospital's Wellness Program formed the Historic Pathwalkers and held lonia' s first Volksmarch on October 11 of that year with over 200 participants. The oldest participant was a 73-year-old man from Sterling Heights, Michigan, and he continued to walk in our events until his death in 1994.

The Monday night Wining Walkers were organized as a sub-group of the Pathwalkers. Another event was held October 9,1988 and again October 8, 1989. A man flew in from St. Louis, Missouri for the 1988 event and a fellow visiting in Kentwood brought his host to the 1989 walk. Walks were held October 14, 1990 and May 18, 1991.

At that time, the Historic Pathwalkers became inactive, however, the Willing Walkers continued their weekly walks and encouraged community participation. During a 1992 meeting of a group working on a promotional brochure for lonia, Ruth Hewitt urged the group to consider a year-round volksmarch. Her suggestion was adopted and the Historic Pathwalkers were reactivated in the spring of 1993.

The people who worked on the reactivation of the club in 1993 were Jean Schnieder and John Pierce with the help of Harold and Anna Hartman. A weekend event was held on May 15 & 16, 1993, and a year -round event was started that year. A seasonal bike event, April to October 31, was started and the year-round event continued in 1994. A guided night walk " A Walk with Santa" was held on December 19, 1994. Nineteen people walked, including two from lower Michigan, two from Holland, Michigan and one from Cedar Springs, Michigan.

1995 saw the continuation of the year-round walk, the seasonal bike event in lonia and a new seasonal walking event, April I to November 1, in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by the Historic Pathwalkers. Several weekend events were planned for 1995; three in Ionia, Michigan, one in Portland, Michigan and one in Bloomingdale, Michigan.

Addendum: Between 1995 and 2003 the Historic Pathwalkers set up 11 year 'round and seasonal walks. In addition, several scheduled events were held each year.