 GRANDVILLE
-- Grandville officials and residents gathered last week along the
Grand River to dedicate a 4-mile extension of Kent Trails. The
extension, which included installation of a bridge and conversion of
Indian Mounds Drive into a one-way street, was partly funded by a
$472,000 state grant. The city contributed another $328,000.
During
the dedication, Mayor James Buck said the idea for the trail
extension came from the city's 1999 update of the park and
recreation master plan. He said several residents suggested the city
do something with the riverfront property that runs along the city's
northern boundary. From the dedication site near the Grand Lady
Riverboat launch, the new path extends 1.4 miles to the west and 2.6
miles to the east, Buck said. The trail was completed in the spring,
but the dedication was postponed after flooding left it under 5 feet
of water. Buck said the path is perfect for running, walking,
bicycling and skating, and city officials hope it will be used for
cross-country skiing in the winter.
Bob Bruggink, an engineer with
Moore & Bruggink in Grand Rapids, said the 75-foot bridge over Buck
Creek has a galvanized coating over the steel parts. "This was
necessary because the bridge is designed to periodically be
underwater," he said. "The 100-year flood elevation is approximately
15 feet above the bridge deck." Bruggink, whose firm designed the
$170,000 bridge, said it took about six months to get all the
permits from the Michigan Department of Transportation and state
Department of Environmental Quality. He said the bridge project was
completed under budget, allowing the city to enhance the trail with
benches, picnic tables and signs.
© 2004 Grand
Rapids Press. Used with permission |
