We received the following press release from the Lowell Area Recreation Authority.

For the past 3 years, the Lowell Area Recreation Authority and the City of Lowell have been working on a plan to connect the Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trail (Lowell to Belding + Greenville) to the Grand River Valley Rail Trail (Lowell to Saranac + Ionia). Already connecting Cherry Creek Elementary School, Creekside Park, Lowell High School and the Wege – Wittenbach Nature Center, this new project will connect local users to the new Lowell Township North Grand River Park, Stoney Lakeside Park and the City’s Recreation Park at the current fairground location.

This spring, the 1.5 mile rail trail section from Foreman St. to Vergennes St. will be paved adding to the local network. The more adventurous can keep going directly from Lowell on the already completed 120 miles of rail trails all the way to Alma and Owosso.

The City of Lowell will conduct a public meeting on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lowell City Hall, 301 E. Main Street, Lowell Michigan 49331. The purpose of the Public Meeting is to receive input and comments from the public on the proposed application by the City to the 2020 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund for a grant for the construction of non-motorized trail improvements for this connection.

Following the public comment period, the City Council will consider a resolution authorizing submittal of their application, which is due on or before April 1, 2020.

Interested persons may offer comments at the public meeting or submit them in writing prior to the meeting directly to the City Hall address or email to [email protected]