m-bike.org » Fort Gratiot http://www.m-bike.org/blog Promoting non-motorized transportation in the Motor City Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:36:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Trust Fund recommends Metro area trail projects http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/12/02/trust-fund-recommends-metro-area-trail-projects/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/12/02/trust-fund-recommends-metro-area-trail-projects/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:45:26 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=3178 The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund announced their recommended projects to be funded for 2010.

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Board of Trustees on Wednesday recommended to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm that 67 recreation projects and land acquisitions totaling $35.7 million be funded in 2010. The board this year had considered 175 applications for development and acquisition projects totaling $108.3 million, which were competitively evaluated based on scoring criteria developed by the Board.

“Our natural resources help set Michigan apart from other states, and the work of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has made it possible to protect and acquire some of our most scenic lands and unique natural areas,” Granholm said. “These recommendations will allow all who live in and visit our state to further enjoy Michigan’s magnificent natural and recreational areas.”

We’d recently mentioned this upcoming decision. We also didn’t understand why the Wixom/Walled Lake/Commerce Michigan Airline rail-trail project was not listed. The DNR ruled the project ineligible until it can prove it has the required matching funds. (The Trust Fund does not cover 100% of a project’s cost.) It’s expected that this project will be resubmitted for next year’s grant funding.

Here are the final recommendations for trail-related projects within the Seven-county region.

Development Projects

Pittsfield Township (Washtenaw County), Hickory Woods Park Development, $300,000. These funds would support development of multi-use trails, storm water bio- swales and wet meadow, pond restoration, interpretative signage, a restroom building, access road and parking area.

DNR, Parks and Recreation Division, William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor East Riverwalk (Wayne County), $450,000. These funds would be used to construct the final connection of the Detroit East Riverwalk through the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor in downtown Detroit.

Wayne County, Elizabeth Park Riverwalk, Northpointe, $400,000. Development includes stabilization of the shoreline along the Detroit River and construction of the Northpointe Riverwalk in Elizabeth Park.

White Lake Township (Oakland County), Bloomer Park Development, $350,000. This project includes development of parking facilities, a fishing platform and observation deck overlooking Grass Lake, a boardwalk and trails.

Land Acquisition

Northville Township (Wayne County), Linear Park Acquisition, Phase I, $4 million. These funds would be used to acquire 51.01 acres to create a linear park connecting the former Northville State Hospital property with the Wayne County Hines Parkway system. This would acquire and preserve a 200-year old growth forest and link to the Southeast Michigan Greenways Network. The county originally requested $7,053,700, and the board indicated it would consider recommending the balance of the grant request in 2010.

DNR-Executive Office, Southeast Michigan Eco-Region Acquisitions, $3.8 million. These funds would be used to acquire critical in-holdings in existing state parks, recreation areas, state game areas, state harbors and natural river areas. The funding includes $3.3 million for the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor’s second phase, and $500,000 for other regional acquisitions. [Ed: We are not clear on what land the DNR will acquire for Milliken State Park, but we will find out.]

City of Rochester Hills (Oakland County), Sheldon-Mead Greenspace Acquisition, $510,000. This project would acquire 39 acres of property along Sheldon and Mead roads for greenspace preservation. It would help secure sensitive wetlands, woodlands and provide greenway connectivity.

Addision Township (Oakland County) Lake George Nature Park Acquisition, $428,000. These funds would support acquisition of rights in land for an 82-acre property to allow public access to the natural and water resources of a passive recreation nature park.

DNR-Parks and Recreation Division, Pinckney State Recreation Area Land Consolidation, $415,391. These funds would support the acquisition of up to 500 acres of land from more than 20 property owners for land consolidation in the Pinckney State Recreation Area.

Fort Gratiot Township (St. Clair County), Parker Road Park Expansion, $100,000. These funds would support acquisition of approximately 20 acres of land for the expansion of the Parker Road Park to allow the balance of a pond to become a park facility and to provide for future extension of the Bridge-to-Bay Trail.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/12/02/trust-fund-recommends-metro-area-trail-projects/feed/ 2 Hit-and-Run Update http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/01/08/hit-and-run-update/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/01/08/hit-and-run-update/#comments Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:37:09 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=1182 Police have arrested a 49-year old woman they believe was involved in hit-and-run that left a cyclist severely injured in Fort Gratiot.

According to the Times Herald:

St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said the woman was arrested about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday after a car believed to be involved in the hit-and-run accident was spotted parked outside a residence. The woman was taken into custody after police went to the home and found her inside.

St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said the woman was arrested about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday after a car believed to be involved in the hit-and-run accident was spotted parked outside a residence. The woman was taken into custody after police went to the home and found her inside.

This same article has a horrific picture of the damaged bike.

The Times Herald reported earlier that the cyclist, Michael Eckert was now in good condition at the St. John Hospital.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/01/08/hit-and-run-update/feed/ 0 43.0119324 -82.4846420 Another Cyclist Hit-and-Run in Fort Gratiot http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/01/07/another-cyclist-hit-and-run-in-fort-gratiot/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/01/07/another-cyclist-hit-and-run-in-fort-gratiot/#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:36:14 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=1176

Michael Eckert, a 50-year old cyclist and assistant managing editor of the Times Herald was struck in a hit-and-run in St. Clair County.

According to an article in the Times Herald:

Police said the vehicle involved is believed to be a mid-sized, purple Pontiac that may have damage to the passenger side front door. The driver is believed to have fled the scene of the accident north on Pollina Road.

Eckert’s wife, Theresa, said a man found Eckert lying by the side of the road and called 911. She said one of Eckert’s shoes was found 200 feet from his bike.

Eckert sustained multiple broken ribs, a broken clavicle, a collapsed lung and there was a problem with the vertebrae in his neck. Eckert was able to speak, however, Theresa Eckert said.

According to one commenter on the Times Herald web site, Eckert rode with lights on his bike: “He does wear red led flashers and a headlight while riding, See him every night.”

If you have any information, please call the sheriff department at (810) 985-8115

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