Brownstown - Flat Rock-Rockwood East - West Greenway Connector

The Brownstown-Flat Rock-Rockwood East-West Greenway Connector was the first completed project of the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative. The objective of this project was to work with the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative communities and the Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative to help create a multi-community system of walking/bicycling trails along the Huron River, a tributary of the Detroit River.

This keystone project consists of approximately 5 miles of non-motorized, recreational, walking/bicycling trails. It is a key link between 20 miles of existing trails on the west (Oakwoods, Willow, and Lower Huron Metro Parks, and the I-275 bike path) and 4.5 miles of existing trails on the east (Lake Erie Metro Park). These additional 5 miles of trail provide continuous greenway and recreational trails through six communities, connecting over 4,800 acres of parkland to the lower Detroit River. This project is part of a much larger plan of the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative and the Greater Detroit AHR Initiative, connecting Lake Erie with the City of Detroit via a beautiful greenways system along the Detroit River. The expected end result will be over 120 miles of continuous greenways showcasing our Greater Detroit American Heritage River.

On December 6, 2001, a media event was held to announce that $2.531 million in funding had been acquired for this project from Michigan Department of Transportation, Wayne County, Flat Rock, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Community Foundation of South East Michigan's Greenways Initiative, and the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority. A breakdown of the funding is presented below:

• Michigan Dept. of Transportation Grant (Transportation Enhancement Program) to Brownstown Township - $236,000;
• Michigan Dept. of Transportation Grant (Transportation Enhancement Program) to Flat Rock - $700,000;
• Wayne County Parks (contribution to match) - $375,000;
• Flat Rock (contribution to match) - $125,000;
• Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant to Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority - $200,000;
• Community Foundation for South East Michigan's Green Ways Initiative Grant to Flat Rock - $200,000;
• Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority funds - $200,000; and
• Michigan Department of Transportation improvements to I-75 overpass - $500,000.

Construction on this greenway project was completed in 2005. This project further enhances "quality of life" in the Downriver area, has increased recreational opportunities, promotes tourism, preserves ecological features and corridors, and enhances economic development. Linked greenway trails among the communities will substantially increase recreational opportunities for residents and access to the lower Detroit River.

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