Saturday's unseasonably mild weather helped mark a good start to 2011 for local residents participating in the annual New Year's Day walk in Ypsilanti.

"This was my first time doing the walk, and I will do this route again," said Debra Golden of Ypsilanti. "My resolutions for 2011 are to go for walks more often and to say thank you more."

The walk took place from the West Michigan Avenue branch of the Ypsilanti District Library along the new Water Street Trail and the Huron River. It took most of the several dozen participants about 40 minutes to complete.

"The weather is lovely for a walk and the river is running so fast," said Mac McNicol of Ypsilanti, who brought his basset hounds Ike and Tina on the walk.

"I would like to secure employment," McNicol said regarding his wish for 2011, hoping that a job teaching English in Jakarta, Indonesia, works out. "I'd also like to lose 15 pounds and eat no fast food this year, avoid chains of any kind and buy locally."

McNicol said that he's made the resolution to not eat fast food in years past but has never been able to stick to it.

The MacGregor family of Ypsilanti enjoyed walking. Liz Dahl-MacGregor said that she wants to be a more active member of the community in 2011 and start a law practice that supports local businesses.

"My constant goal is to stay fit," said Ken MacGregor. "I'm 44 and want to play with my kids," he added, referring to 4-year-old Gabriel and 1-year-old Maggie. Gabriel said his wish for 2011 is "to turn 5."

Many of the walkers rewarded themselves with a visit to Beezy's, a cafe in downtown Ypsilanti. Patron Mary Beam said her New Year's resolution is to clear the clutter in her home.

"I want to make way for the good in my life by lightening the load," she said.

Diner Lianne Straathof of Lowell, Michigan, said her resolutions are to eat less chocolate and to exercise more. Her husband Nate Straathof's goal is to organize his e-mail inbox at work.

Diner Rebecca Kirk's goal is not to cut her hair in 2011.

"I always get fickle and at 2 a.m. have my roommate cut it," she admitted.

Genevieve Mihalko, a barista at Beezy's, said that her wish for 2011 is to have an art show.

"I want to have a show of my drawings, paintings and photography in downtown Ypsilanti maybe at the Dreamland Theater or in Depot Town," Mihalko said. "Things get postponed in my life but eventually they happen."

Beezy's owner Bee Mayhew said she wants to take more time off from work in the new year. "I reduced my hours from 105 to 65 hours a week in 2010 and hope to go down to 60 hours a week in 2011," she said.

Beezy's patron Mike Battaglia of Ypsilanti said that resolutions are hard for him to keep so he made a few that he feels confident about. "I'm going to drink more beer and better beer and support the local breweries," he vowed.

What is your New Year's resolution? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Lisa Carolin is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.