Over the next 17 days the Vicksburg Downtown Development Authority is hoping to raise $32,000 that will in turn bring in a matching $32,000 for a new trailhead to the Vicksburg Nature Trail.
The .47 acre trailhead will be the entrance into the Vicksburg downtown district and part of an extensive 2.6 mile non-motorized nature trail in the village. The Vicksburg Vision Capital campaign has committed $61,000 toward the $126,000 project.
The trailhead is the first part of a larger placemaking project to redevelop the Vicksburg downtown district to enhance its economic development efforts.
The crowdfunding project is offered in cooperation with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) on the crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
"The MEDC/MSHDA Crowdfunding program is a huge boost to our fundraising efforts and focuses on projects everyone can participate in making happen in the immediate future," says Kathleen Hoyle, Vicksburg DDA Director.
The Patronicity page for the project says the community said in public meetings that it wanted a trail that would connect its downtown district and recreational assets with other communities. It also encourages people to "donate today for the Vicksburg of tomorrow."
Funds will be used for property acquisition, site restoration, planting of trees, the building of a parking lot, bike rack, and benches, installation of historic light poles, signage, and interpretive sign about the history of Vicksburg.
With the money raised through the crowdfunding process, the project could begin in early 2016. With 17 days to go in the process, $4,295 from seven donors had been pledged to the project.
“Creating community connections like the trailhead has an impact measured beyond dollars and cents, as health and quality of life benefits make villages like Vicksburg an attractive place to live. We are proud to partner in this effort,” says MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki.
Source: MEDC
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