Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy receives $21,100 in grants – bringing the greenway closer to breaking ground
(Ann Arbor, Michigan)

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Ann Arbor, MI –The Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy was awarded two separate grants this week from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and MillionMile Greenway to support the organization’s efforts to develop a greenway through the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. With a combined value of $21,100, these grants enable the Conservancy to move forward with community outreach and engagement to increase membership, public awareness and community collaboration.

The Greenway will start near Michigan Stadium, and will run north and south winding through downtown Ann Arbor, ultimately connecting to the Washtenaw County Border to Border (B2B) trail near the Argo Pond. Bob Galardi, President of the Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy’s Board of Directors notes, “The Greenway, a paved trail, will provide safe, accessible walking and biking through the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, establish physical barriers from existing railroad tracks, and create better connectivity north to south. These grants give us the ability to continue to increase our community efforts through events, promotional material and online presence.” The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) awarded a $10,000 grant to help the Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy build community partnerships with the City, the County and the University of Michigan and provide community outreach through promotional material and events. AAACF has a long history of supporting local community organizations that sustain and protect the local environment, from the Ecology Center and Recycle Ann Arbor to the Legacy Land Conservancy. A start-up grant to the Ecology Center in 1972 helped launch Ann Arbor’s first drop-off recycling stations, and a 2009 grant helped launch Michigan’s first local clean energy financing program.

A grant valued at $11,100 from MillionMile Greenway (MMG), an Atlanta-based nonprofit, combines a cash award and inkind
services from MMG’s experts in marketing and technical planning. MillionMile Greenway helps communities create or expand trail and greenway initiatives. “This project has every essential element we look for in a partner,” says Jim Langford, president of MillionMile Greenway. He cited “community buy-in with the ability to match MMG funding, and an ideal location in downtown Ann Arbor close to residential neighborhoods, the University of Michigan’s athletic complex and businesses.” Langford adds, “The 2.3-mile trail can also connect to 13 miles of existing nature trails to the north – a powerful benefit to living in Ann Arbor.” Other recent projects with MMG include the Northend Greenway in Harrisonburg, Virginia; the Spotsylvania Greenways Initiative in Spotsylvania County, also in Virginia; and the South Fork Conservancy inside the City of Atlanta, Georgia. Next steps for the Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy include public meetings and a special event this fall. Sign up to receive electronic updates at www.AllenCreekGreenway.org or visit their Facebook page.

To schedule interviews or request photos, please contact Bob Galardi at Allen Creek Greenway –734-323-3450 or info@allencreekgreenway.org

Media contact for MillionMile Greenway: Lisa Frank – 404-255-8567 or lisafrank@frankrelations.com

Media contact for AAACF: Jillian Rosen, AAACF Program Officer jrosen@aaacf.org or (734) 663-0401

Rome’s trail advocate TRED receives grant moving projects closer to reality
(Rome, Georgia)

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Rome, GA – Rome’s Redmond Trail Project is one step closer to being enjoyed by walkers and cyclists. A grant valued at $7,000 was awarded to Trails for Recreation and Economic Development (TRED) last week by MillionMile Greenway (MMG), an Atlanta-based nonprofit that helps grassroots organizations plan and build trails. The grant combines a cash award and inkind services from MMG’s experts in marketing and community engagement. “This project has every essential element we look for in a partner,” says Jim Langford, president of MillionMile Greenway. He cited “community buy-in with the ability to match MMG funding, and a solid plan to connect neighborhoods and businesses with downtown Rome.” Langford also credits TRED’s long-range vision to connect Rome’s trails to the Silver Comet Trail (62 miles) and the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail (335 miles) as “a powerful benefit to Rome’s quality of life, now and in the future.”

According to Julie Smith, TRED’s president, phase one is a 1.5-mile paved trail running from The Heritage Trail at Avenue A to the Summerville Park neighborhood. Construction is slated to begin in 2015 – the result of a strong partnership with Rome City and Floyd County governments. “As Northwest Georgia’s only advocacy group dedicated to expanding trails, we’re keenly aware of the economic development and health amenities well-designed trails
will bring to Rome,” Smith remarks. “Providing easy walking, running and biking access encourages healthy recreation choices and becomes an ecofriendly alternative to driving.”

TRED was formed in 2012 by local citizens and trail enthusiasts in response to preserving a $400,000 grant awarded by the State of Georgia that was in jeopardy of being forfeited by the County. TRED quickly raised $75,000 to keep the grant “alive.” TRED will also lend its financial and technical support for the 2008 Rome Floyd Trail Facilities Plan – an innovative long-range plan to develop a seamless trail network for transportation, fitness and recreation. Approval to add an additional 3.3 miles of new trails at a cost of $1.8 million will be included on the Rome Floyd SPLOST initiative as a result of a partnership between TRED and Rome City government.

MillionMile Greenway helps communities create or expand trail and greenway initiatives by providing micro-grants and technical and marketing assistance.Current projects include trail planning and implementation in northern Virginia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; North Georgia and Atlanta.

 

To schedule interviews or request photos, please contact Julie Smith at TRED – 706-844-8509 or julie@cycletherapy.us

Media contact for MillionMile Greenway: Lisa Frank – 404-255-8567 or lisafrank@frankrelations.com

Northend Greenway receives grant, moving the project one step closer to reality
(Harrisonburg, Virginia)

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Harrisonburg, VA – A community grant valued at $11,000 was awarded to Harrisonburg’s Northend Greenway last week by MillionMile Greenway (MMG), an Atlanta-based nonprofit that helps grassroots organizations build trails and protect green space.

The grant combines a cash award and in-kind services from MMG’s experts in marketing and technical planning. “This project has every essential element we look for in a partner,” says Jim Langford, President of MillionMile Greenway. He cited “community buy-in with the ability to match MMG funding, and a broad-based Advisory Board with leaders from the business, education, governmental and donor communities.” Langford adds, “The 2.5-mile trail also connects activity centers with each other – a powerful benefit to Harrisonburg.”

According to Suzi Carter, Northend Greenway’s outreach and development coordinator, the future paved trail will provide easy walking and biking access between the Farmers Market Pavilion downtown, the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community and the Eastern Mennonite University Arboretum which will bring together young and old, downtown residents and visitors, nature lovers and fitness advocates among many others.

Two years in the making, the Northend Greenway is second on a five-year priority list of projects identified in the City of Harrisonburg’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. “The City is committed to making similar projects shovel-ready to take advantage of future funding as sources like this grant become available,” Carter explains.

Next steps for the Northend Greenway include attractive signage to help residents and potential donors better visualize the new trail’s potential. Groundbreaking for trail construction is slated for fall 2013 once 75% of the funding is raised for the $1.3 million project.

The trail route is adjacent to Blacks Run, a polluted stream that eventually flows into the Shenandoah River and the Chesapeake Bay. Stream restoration efforts are an important component made possible by volunteer labor and a public education campaign.
The Northend Greenway will be a path connecting people and the places they want to go, a strategically located linear park, and a prototype of a high-caliber multi-modal transportation network for Harrisonburg.

MillionMile Greenway helps communities create or expand trail and greenway initiatives by providing micro-grants and technical and marketing assistance. In addition to the City of Harrisonburg, MillionMile Greenway assists other northern Virginia communities including Spotsylvania County, Fauquier County and the Town of Warrenton.

To schedule interviews or request photos, please contact Suzi Carter at Northend Greenway – 540-810-7667 or suzi@northendgreenway.org

Media contact for MillionMile Greenway: Lisa Frank – 404-255-8567 or lisafrank@frankrelations.com