Volunteers will be working on a new walking trail in Ypsilanti, which could eventually become part of the Border-to-Border Trail, a larger, county-wide trail network.
Work is scheduled to begin this Saturday on the Water Street Trail, which would follow the north shore of the Huron River from the Michigan Avenue Bridge to Park Street. Although the initial part of that trail is not terribly long, probably between 100 and 150 yards, "It's important because it links the existing trail area," says Andrew Clock, project coordinator for the Water Street Trail.
The project has $2,000 in funding from the Washtenaw County Department of Health, via the Building Healthy Communities program. It is designed to improve pathways for pedestrian use to encourage walking and leaving the car at home, Clock says. If the trail is dug and filled properly, negating the need to tear it up and start over, it will be easier for the county to assume it as part of the Border to Border system, a proposed county-wide trail network.
Nearby Waterworks Park has a baseball diamond and even a disc golf course. "There's really an effort going in all around for something to be done with that area," Clock says. "Back in that corner, it's like you're not in the city anymore. Even though you're less than a mile from the freeway, it's like you're out in the middle of the woods."
Clock, an on-again, off-again Ypsilanti resident who's become more and more involved with city politics and music over the years, says part of the goal of the project is to put a positive spin on Water Street, a contentious tale of finger-pointing and pressure on city finances. "None of that's really going to do anything to encourage developers to buy the land and do something positive with it," he points out.
The project itself is made possible through the city of Ypsilanti's Adopt-a-Park program, with the first work day set up for this Saturday; all are welcome to bring work gear and help out, most likely picking up litter and clearing brush and invasive species.
"The last time I was back there, some of it was pretty overgrown at the far back of the property," Clock says.
For information about the plan or to volunteer, e-mail Clock at waterstreetparkypsi@gmail.com or click here.
Source: Andrew Clock, project coordinator for the Water Street Trail
Writer: Kristin Lukowski
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.