Detroit residents who want to create a more beautiful and physically active environment in their communities are in luck. The Healthy Environments Partnership (HEP) Greenway Mini-Grant program is funding projects, up to $1000, that will take place along the Conner Creek, Brightmoor Lyndon, and Southwest Detroit Greenways. HEP will be accepting requests for proposals from Detroiters engaging community residents, building local ownership, and promoting social and physical activity along the greenways. Some examples of the types of projects that will be funded are: creating youth artwork along the greenways, planting community gardens adjacent to the greenways, or hosting walk & talk programs that bring policy makers out where residents can share their local concerns.

For more information contact Julia Weinert at 734-763-0741, weinertj@umich.edu or go to the HEP website at www.hepdetroit.org and click on ‘Community Activities’. Mini-Grant materials will also be available at neighborhood development corporations in Eastside, Northwest, and Southwest Detroit. The application deadline is April 13, 2012.

The Healthy Environments Partnership, established in 2000, is a partnership including the Brightmoor Community Center, Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, Friends of Parkside, Rebuilding Communities Incorporated, The Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Henry Ford Health System, and the University of Michigan. It is funded through the National Institute of Environmental Science and is an affiliated project of the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center.

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This trail is a key portion of the Great Lake to Lake Trail.

This free presentation is being held on Saturday, December 3rd at 11am at Marshbank Park (2805 Hiller Road, north of Commerce.)

The event is hosted by the Friends of West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation. If you want more information, contact Doug McEwen at 248 788-3940.

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Model D Speaker Series: Urban Mobility

If you missed this event, don’t worry. Jason Rzucidlo has a nice writeup with photos.

Of course, Model D also covered the event.

Marja Winters, deputy director of the city’s Planning and Development department, said non-motorized transit options are an essential component to the mayor’s Detroit Works Project. Credit the growing movement across the country to urban areas, often for the diversity of options a city affords. “The quality of place is becoming the number one determining factor,” she said. “And ranking high in the decision-making process is the notion of alternative forms of transit.”

We probably would not have heard similar quotes from Detroit’s planning department just a few years ago. This really signals the great deal of progress and increased awareness that has happened during that time.

Bicycle Friendly State rankings

Michigan continues to drop in the state rankings developed by the League of American Bicyclists. The Mitten state is now ranked 22nd and was given a “D”.

This 10 spot drop since 2008 is likely attributable to new ranking criteria and the lack of progress in key areas — progress that other states have made. Michigan received an “F” score in the categories of Infrastructure, Evaluation & Planning, and Enforcement.

Ride challenge for MDOT Director

With the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood biking to work yesterday, we suggested MDOT’s Director Kirk Steudle could do the same via Twitter.

MDOT responded with “I forwarded your tweet to Dir. Steudle to let him know. Thanks! ”

GM’s Akerson calls for fuel tax increase

The unwillingness in Washington DC and Lansing to increase fuel taxes has helped led to a transportation funding crisis. (Yeah, sprawl and the lack of regional planning in Metro Detroit are factors as well.)

Bill Ford Jr. has previously advocated for a fuel tax increase. Now, so to has GM’s CEO Dan Akerson according to this Detroit News article.

A government-imposed tax hike, Akerson believes, will prompt more people to buy small cars and do more good for the environment than forcing automakers to comply with higher gas-mileage standards.

“You know what I’d rather have them do — this will make my Republican friends puke — as gas is going to go down here now, we ought to just slap a 50-cent or a dollar tax on a gallon of gas,” Akerson said.

“People will start buying more Cruzes and they will start buying less Suburbans.”

An increased fuel tax can also encourage more people to bike, walk, and use public transit, while providing improved funding.

I-275 Metro Trail

There was a reopening ceremony for a portion of the I-275 bike path on Saturday. We weren’t there, but the Detroit Free Press was. The I-275 path will continue to be expanded northward as the southern portion is rebuilt and reopened. You can stray up to date with the progress by visiting the Friends of the I-275 Pathway on Facebook.

Michigan Airlines Rail-Trail

The Spinal Column is reporting that the Surface Transportation Board has denied a quick abandonment for the rail corridor that many hope will soon become a trail.

STB board members denied Michigan Air-Line Railway’s petition because it didn’t “provide the Board with sufficient evidence regarding the revenues and costs associated with the line, thereby making it impossible to determine what burden, if any, (Michigan Air-Line) Railway incurs in continuing to operate the line.”

Nevertheless, Michigan Air-Line Railway still hopes to get the STB’s approval to abandon the railroad, therefore allowing the trail project to move forward.

“We’re still moving forward with the grant applications,” said Commerce Township Planner Kathleen Jackson. “The NRTF board doesn’t make the grant decision until December, and (Michigan Air-Line Railway) hopes to have an answer by then.”

We do hope this gets resolved prior to the Natural Resource Trust Fund grant decision is made in December. This is the third attempt at getting this grant which will help pay for most of the property.

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Detroit Parks and Trails Day will be held in conjunction with National Trails Day on the first Saturday in June (June 4, 2011). This is a perfect day for Detroiters to come out and celebrate Detroit’s vast parks and trails. This can be done in many forms from playing a ball game to cleaning up the park. The key is that the green space is being celebrated and utilized!

On Facebook, Evan Major suggesting visiting some of Detroit’s west side parks and trails.

Be sure and check out the mountain bike trail at Rouge Park and the Nature Trail at Eliza Howell! Friends of the Rouge Friends of Eliza Howell Park Great views of the river from both!

While we don’t have a final copy of the official resolution, we do have any earlier draft on which the official version was based.

ANNUAL DETROIT PARKS AND TRAILS DAY, FIRST SATURDAY IN JUNE (DRAFT)

WHEREAS: Parks, greenways and trails are an integral component of successful neighborhoods and communities, providing beauty and opportunities for citizens to interact with nature in urban environments, improving the environment and air quality and increasing civic pride and community ownership among neighbors; and

WHEREAS: Parks, greenways and trails promote public health by offering recreation opportunities, encouraging physical activity and providing public gathering places for organized sports and similar activities; and

WHEREAS: Greenways and trails independently or within parks act as alternate routes for nonmotorized transportation and provide links between neighborhoods and communities; and

WHEREAS: The development and promotion of parks, greenways and trails being a legitimate function of local government for the above listed reasons, the City of Detroit Recreation and General Services Departments have partnered with the community-driven Detroit Parks Coalition and Detroit Greenways Coalition to aid in carrying out these functions in Detroit; be it therefore:

RESOLVED: The City of Detroit recognizes and thanks the Detroit Parks Coalition, the Detroit Greenways Coalition and their many partner agencies for their assistance in championing Detroit’s parks, greenways and trails; and be it further:

RESOLVED: The City of Detroit declares the first Saturday in June annually as DETROIT PARKS AND TRAILS DAY, for the maintenance, promotion and appreciation of Detroit’s rich inventory of parks, greenways and trails and the many community benefits they offer our citizens.

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Friends Group member, Doug Gordon, has created a free app for the Clinton River Trail.

Version 1.0 of the Clinton River Trail Android application is up and available on the Android Market. Those with Android smartphones should know how to install it. Search for “clinton river” and you’ll find it (just searching for “clinton” brings up too many political-related apps!).

This first version has a copy of our standard map that you can drag around on the screen to view different parts. Tapping on any of the 17 numbered points of interest brings up a short description. And that’s about it to start with.

Plans for the future include:

• Using GPS to show where you are on or near the trail, with possible distances to nearby facilities.
• Additional text about locations along and near the trail.
• Support for gestures to zoom in and out.
• Photos at various locations when you tap on them (e.g., at the Rotary Overlook).
• News feed for trail information (e.g., the upcoming construction closure).

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Detroit Community Crew Programs

You can make a difference this summer! Here’s your chance to be part of a program that promotes youth leadership and conservation! The Student Conservation Association is a dynamic, nonprofit national organization which encourages and supports youth in service to the environment. The SCA is currently accepting applications for Crew Leader positions with our 2011 Detroit Community Program.

Responsibilities: Co-lead, mentor and coach a crew of 10 students, ages 15-18, while completing various conservation service projects designed to build an ethic of community and environmental stewardship. Projects include trail and park maintenance, habitat restoration, neighborhood green space revitalization and urban agriculture. In addition, leaders will facilitate pre and post-program planning which includes crew training, environmental education and reporting. Program dates are July 11 – August 19. Mandatory, all expenses paid, residential training dates are June 1-10 (possible alternate dates).

Compensation: up to $3795 total salary depending on experience and crew length.

Qualifications: Be at least 21 years old; able to legally work in the US; have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record; First Aid/CPR certification, experience working with youth or young adults (ages 14-18); experience as a teacher or leader in an educational environment; experience with conservation or related skills, familiarity with and passion for the Detroit community.

How to apply: Send a cover letter and resume to the Detroit Program Manager at scadetroit@thesca.org. Please direct questions to scadetroit@thesca.org or 313.285.1247. Crew leaders are hired on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

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If you missed the program, the podcast is on line. The discussion on greenways begins at 1:04.

That 9-mile abandoned rail property that I mentioned is part of the planned Inner Circle Greenway.

For those who don’ t know, Fahle is a cyclist and a former bike mechanic at Alfred E. Bikes in Kalamazoo.

- Todd Scott

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Below is information on a public meeting to discuss this potential greenway project –

Gleaners Community Food Bank is hosting a community forum in Detroit on March 3rd. The forum is to discuss the concept of developing a greenway on the abandoned rail corridor connecting the riverfront to Gratiot Avenue between Beaufait and Bellevue streets. The presentation portion will provide an overview of the project and its connection to similar projects in Detroit and lead to an open discussion on the feasibility of this effort and the opportunity for community member input, questions, and concerns.

Refreshments will be served.

When: Thursday, March 3^rd 2011, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
6:30 PM presentation followed by questions/answers

Where: Gleaners Community Food Bank, 2131 Beaufait Street, Detroit, MI

If you have any questions, please contact Guy Williams (guy@gowilliams.net or 734-395-9836).

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FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 16, 2011

Julia Weinert, Communication Specialist
Phone: 734-763-0741
Fax: 734-763-7379
e-mail: weinertj@umich.edu
Website: www.hepdetroit.org

The Healthy Environments Partnership Greenway Mini-Grants Program is Accepting Applications

Detroit residents who want to create a more beautiful and physically active environment in their communities are in luck. The Healthy Environments Partnership (HEP) Greenway Mini-Grant program is funding projects, up to $1000, that will take place along the Conner Creek, Brightmoor Lyndon, and Corktown-Mexicantown Greenways. HEP will be accepting requests for proposals from Detroiters engaging community residents, building local ownership, and promoting social and physical activity along the greenways. Some examples of the types of projects that will be funded are: creating youth artwork along the greenways, planting community gardens adjacent to the greenways, or hosting walk & talk programs that bring policy makers out where residents can share their local concerns.

For more information contact Julia Weinert at 734-763-0741, weinertj@umich.edu or go to the HEP website at www.hepdetroit.org and click on ‘Community Activities’. Mini-Grant materials will also be available at neighborhood development corporations in Eastside, Northwest, and Southwest Detroit. The application deadline is April 15, 2011.

The Healthy Environments Partnership, established in 2000, is a partnership including the Brightmoor Community Center, Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, Friends of Parkside, Rebuilding Communities Incorporated, The Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Henry Ford Health System, and the University of Michigan. It is funded through the National Institute of Environmental Science and is an affiliated project of the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center.

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There has been much discussion on porous pavements as a solution.

In fact, Brewing Chemisty is hosting such a discussion at 7pm on February 15th at the Traffic Jam and  Snug. It’s a presentation on the FilterPave® Porous Paving System by David Bower, Ph.D., a Senior Research Chemist at the BASF Corporation.

The Filterpave® system provides several advances over traditional hard surface pavements which address these and other environmental issues in an attractive and cost-effective manner. It combines specially treated post-consumer recycled glass with a two component polyurethane binder to create a porous pavement that captures stormwater allowing it to slowly migrate into the soil. This nearly eliminates stormwater runoff and helps replenish the local aquifer with clean, naturally filtered water.

It does seem like this pavement could work for our trails. Not only does it allow stormwater to pass through, it uses recycled materials. The pigmentation options are an added benefit.

And trails with porous pavement don’t have puddles.

Also, if you’re still not sure what porous pavement can do, you might consider watching this interesting demo.

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