Allen Park project

On March 26, 2002, the City of Allen Park, the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative, and the Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative announced Allen Park's linked greenway trail system as the next keystone project of the Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative.

This project has completed the planning and design phases and is ready for full-scale implementation. The Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative Communities and the American Heritage River Initiative support this high priority, greenway trail project that should be funded and built in the Downriver area.

The Allen Park project is part of a larger effort that began in January 2000 to establish a regional system for bicycling, jogging, walking, and in-line skating throughout Southeast Michigan. Locally, over 21 Downriver Communities have partnered to form the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative and develop a master plan for the region. This plan has been very well received and honored by the Michigan Society of Planning with the "Outstanding Planning Project for a Plan Award" in 2001. Allen Park is part of the sole north-south artery of this system and will also provide a direct link from the Downriver Linked Greenway Initiative system to the Rouge River Gateway Partnership project currently being developed.

The Allen Park system and the Gateway project will restore the riverbed and its banks back to its natural state, creating an environmentally pleasing setting. The primary focus will be to link existing parks, provide a safe means of pedestrian travel, enhance local and regional recreational opportunities, and promote historical and cultural sites.

The Allen Park Greenway System has also been designed to address some of the environmental concerns along the pathway. The City recently partnered with Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Land Services Corporation to develop a segment of the trail system that converted an area along the Ford Clay Mine from an unusable and environmentally unfriendly use to a safe, enjoyable and passive recreational use. The trail system will also be integrated into the waterways that run along the railroad tracks that it parallels, creating natural habitats for wildlife and natural flora.

The Allen Park trail project is composed of a number of segments. Each segment has been designed as small linear parks and will pass through and connect most of the City's major parks. The City has received private and local contributions of $300,000 for this project. This is composed of $150,000 from the Downtown Development Authority for construction of a bridge over Ecorse Road; $25,000 in actual construction from Nextel for a trail segment; $75,000 in actual construction from Danou Enterprises for a mile trail segment; and a commitment of $50,000 in City funds for planning and surveying for one of the linear trail segments which will include the development of residential homes along the trail. The City is also applying for federal and state funds to complete the City's greenway trail system. The total cost of the City's trail system is expected to cost $1.7 million.

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