Metropark seeks public input on proposed grants for Lower Huron park

The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) is seeking public input on three projects to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Recreation Grants program for improvements within Lower Huron Metropark.
Lower Huron Metropark is one of 13 Metroparks owned and managed by HCMA. It is a 1,256-acre park located in southwest Wayne County. These projects are three of four grant projects HCMA will submit to the MDNR and all four will help realize several goals throughout the park system identified in the park Master Plans adopted by HCMA Board of Commissioners in 2016.
The public is invited to review the conceptual site plans, posted on the Metroparks website at http://www.metroparks.com/about-us/planning-department/ and input and comments on all projects will be accepted via email to Jay Bibby at [email protected] from Feb. 24 through March 6, 2020.
A project display will also be posted for a two-week public review period at the Lower Huron park office at 40151 E. Huron River Dr. and Van Buren Township Parks and Recreation Dept. at 46425 Tyler Rd., Van Buren Township.
If awarded these grant funds, the following projects would be completed within Lower Huron Metropark.
1. The development of an off-leash dog area at the Tawata Trace Trail area. Nestled within a bend of the Huron River, the off-leash dog area would re-activate the location of the former par 3 golf course using universal design principles and include:
• accessible walkways and parking including pathways extending into each dog playfield
• landscaping improvements including a 0.4 acre no-mow zone
• demolition of old golf building and surrounds
• accessible moveable restroom
• four new benches with wheelchair companion sitting spaces
• dual drinking fountain for people and dogs
• new trash cans and dog waste stations
• separate fields for large and small dogs
• fully accessible bullpen area
2. Campground improvements at Walnut Grove Campground. The park is one of two Metroparks with a public campground. Situated near Tulip Tree Picnic Area, it provides easy access to picnicking, fishing and the popular water facility – Turtle Cove. Improvements would include:
• developing six new camping sites
• developing seven ADA camping sites with new concrete pads
• water and electric hookups to all campsites
• 38 new accessible picnic tables throughout the campground
• three new fire pits and proposed firewood storage unit
• landscaping improvements including a 2.7 acre no mow zone and 50 native tree plantings
• wi-fi
• two drinking fountain/water bottle filling stations
• playground improvements including two new ADA harness swings
• parking lot improvements including pavement removal of excess parking areas
3. Construction of a 0.5 mile Iron Belle Trail segment. The Iron Belle Trail is a state-designated trail with both a hiking and biking arm reaching from Belle Isle in Detroit to Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula. Known as Michigan’s showcase trail, it utilizes many of the state’s existing hike-bike paths, bike lanes, and biking routes and other planned trail segments.
The proposed project involves constructing a 10-foot-wide universal accessible asphalt trail segment that re-aligns the Iron Belle Trail at the north end of Lower Huron to connect with a future segment west to Belleville, Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor. The project is the result of an ongoing collaboration with other communities and organizations dedicated to implementing the regional Border-to-Border Trail system located in nearby Washtenaw County.