By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Two projects totaling $3.5 million will add 16 miles of non-motorized trails in Ada Township. When the project is completed, about 12 miles of trails will create a scenic loop around a portion of the Grand River, connecting two township parks known for their natural woodlands, wetlands, and prairies.
“Ever since we first became involved in building non-motorized trails, we have public requests for more of them,” says Jim Ferro, township planning director. “We believe it's an amenity that contributes a lot to the quality of life in the community.”
Phase 1 of the loop around the Grand River will begin by mid-July and be completed this September. The trail will run from Fulton Street north along Grand River Avenue past Roselle Park’s wetlands and bird watching observatories to Knapp Street.
Phase 2, set for summer 2008, will run east along Knapp to Honey Creek Drive, then south to Seidman Park. Phase 3 will complete the loop in 2009, winding its way south and west from Seidman Park to McCabe, Bailey, and Pettis, ending at Fulton Street on the east bank of the Grand River.
“Another trail we'll be building this year is on Thornapple River Drive from Buttrick to Lions Field, and will connect to the Cascade Township trail,” Ferro says.
Voters approved a millage hike last November to finance the trails. Ferro will also pursue state and federal grant monies to help the township stretch taxpayer dollars. When the projects are completed, Ada Township will have about 20 miles of non-motorized trails.
Source: Jim Ferro, Ada Township; Wendy Tatar, Ada Township
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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