A task force comprised of CQC (Coalition for a Quality Community) members and staff from the Rec Center met in November 2002 and agreed to meet monthly 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 agreed to the secretary role (and we’re STILL in those roles!!). In the next several months, other groups were invited: school lunch program staff, M-FIT, and Washtenaw County. Our first event was to participate in the Fitness, Food & Fun event held at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School in 2003.

We developed a mission statement and a name – Pick Up the Pace, Saline! (PUPS), and in collaboration with the Rec Center, decided on a free pedometers program. We held a Kick-Off Walk in September 2004, walked for an hour with 40 people, who each received a pedometer after the walk. PUPS developed a monthly community walk program that continues to this day - check the events page for the upcoming schedule.

PUPS applied for funding from CARES, which was granted in 2005. The Depot Trail, a 1/4 mile trail from Ann Arbor St. to Harris, was organized and facilitated by a PUPS member, David Rhoads. Walking Maps were developed by committee members and designed by Chelsea graphic artist Scott Eckert. In September 2006, the Depot Trail was dedicated and a large walking map was unveiled to the community at KeyBank.