$800,000 in Grants to Flat Rock to Create 50-Mile Linked Greenways Trail Downriver

Funding to be used for the construction of a 4-mile link connecting 24-miles of trail from Huroc Park in Flat Rock to Oakwoods Metropark, which borders Belleville.
By: Mike Ingberg
 
Feb. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- The Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative (DLGI) announced that funding has been obtained for the construction of a 4-mile link connecting 24-miles of trail from Huroc Park in Flat Rock to Oakwoods Metropark, which borders Belleville.  The announcement was made by DLGI co-chairs Anita Twardesky and Mary Bohling during the “DLGI Reunion! Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” event held at the Flat Rock Community Center.

The securing of the $800,000 in funds means that when construction is completed on the “East-West Connector,” it will represent the largest greenways link of Metroparks in southeast Michigan.  The trail will connect Oakwoods Metropark to Willow, then to the Lower Huron Metropark.  Eventually, it will connect to Monroe and finally to Toledo.  Additionally, this completed link means that people who enjoy greenways Downriver will have more than 50 continuous miles of trail to enjoy.

“In just over 10 years, the Downriver community has come together to provide its residents with an impressive network of greenway trails,” says Congressman John D. Dingell. “These trails greatly improve the quality of life in the region by providing a means of transportation and an outdoor recreational activity.

“Downriver residents are always asking me when more trails will be added. Well, we are coming together today to celebrate the addition of a critical piece of the trail in Flat Rock and to look at what work still needs to be done.”
At the DLGI Reunion!, more than 100 individuals, business and organizations were honored with certificates of recognition for their hard work relative to DLGI projects.

“This incredible realization of our hard work at DLGI would not have been possible without the creation of and support from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan GreenWays Initiative and its director, Tom Woiwode,” said DLGI co-chair Mary Bohling of Michigan Sea Grant.  

“The Foundation’s GreenWays Initiative funded the bridge in Huroc Park back in 2001 and this represents the completion of that critical link,” continued DLGI co-chair Anita Twardesky, Marking Director, Riverside Kayak Connection.

Special recognition was given to former Flat Rock Mayor Richard Jones, who Twardesky says, “Had the foresight and, frankly, guts to give us the go-ahead to pursue funding opportunities and designated full-time staff to develop greenways, starting with the bridge in Huroc Park.”

During the event, the DLGI also announced Downriver Paddlers & Friends as the winner of the video contest in which participants highlighted how people use greenways in the winter.  The group was awarded more than $100 in gifts and prizes, including an annual Metropark pass.  The video can be seen at www.downrivergreenways.org.

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The Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative is a regional non-motorized pathway vision for the Downriver region of Southeast Michigan. It is envisioned that this regional pathway system will connect the 21 Downriver communities, Wayne and Monroe Counties through a network of trails and greenways, and will feed and link into a rapidly forming regional and statewide system of greenways. The effort to produce a coordinated, functioning, non-motorized system is an essential factor in the quality of life for the Downriver communities. To find out more, visit downrivergreenways.org.
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Source:Mike Ingberg
Email:***@marxlayne.com Email Verified
Zip:48334
Tags:Downriver, Linked, Greenways, Trail, Initiative, Flat, Rock, Park, Metropark, Funding, Construction, Huroc, Oakwoods
Industry:Non-profit, Environment, Family
Location:Farmington Hills - Michigan - United States
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