Atlas Twp.-By 2017, a township pathway will border the west side of Gale Road from Goodrich High School to Atlas’the culmination of years of planning and cooperation between area leaders and residents.
Those efforts were recognized on Oct. 23 by the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission who awarded the citizen-led group Walk, Bike, Run Atlas Township with the Innovation in Community Development Award.
The award goes to the community that has made a measurable impact on the quality of housing options for a changing population, engaged residents in neighborhood issues, or promoted a safe and healthy environment.
‘This was quite an honor for our passionate hard working, grassroots committee and as a whole, our township; very humbling,? said Paulette Johnson, Walk, Bike, Run Atlas Township co-chair. ‘As a committee, we’ve learned a lot about trails from many individuals and from those who work in many different agencies. Their information sharing helped in receiving this award and we thank them.?
Johnson is one of several township residents that created the citizen-led group Walk, Bike, Run Atlas Township. County officials recognized the township group’s initiative to create new recreational trails within their community. Through a grass roots effort, township officials and residents distributed surveys community-wide, established a social media outlet, and actively engaged residents, leading to success in the effort.
The process included voters passing, by a 1,664 yes to 1,502 no margin, a 1/8 mill or $6 per year for a $100,000 home that will generate about $33,292 per year to fund the pathways in the township. This trails millage was the first of its kind in Genesee County and one of few in the State of Michigan, say county officials.
A key partnership was also formed with the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Walk, Bike, Run Atlas Township group. The Gale Road recreational trail project, one of several located along the proposed route of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail, has now received funding and the township continues to move forward with the scoping of this pathway. The coming together of these partners, residents, the Village of Goodrich, Goodrich Area Schools, along with the support and participation from several Genesee County agencies provides a great example of the impacts of partnership and engagement in local efforts, added county officials.
‘It is very gratifying to be associated with an award that recognizes our township’s efforts in innovation,? said Bruce DeGrouchy, Walk, Bike, Run Atlas Township co-chair and avid biker.
‘What is most gratifying is that, it is acknowledgment of the projects that can be accomplished when members of the community, local government, county government and the state work together. I am proud to be among this group of people that represent our great township and want to personally thank everyone that has contributed their time and efforts.?
The estimated cost of the Gale Road Trail will be $778,173. Funding for the project will include $300,000 from the Transportation Alternatives Program or TAP Grant. The federal transportation funding seeks projects that provide choices and walkability. Another $300,000 will come from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant. The balance, about $160,000 in matching funds, will be provided by Atlas Township from the millage approved last November.