Holly’s Headwaters Trails awarded Kodak American Greenways grant

#phocagallerypiclens 3-phocagallerypiclenscode-Sports-Outdoors/canoeist on the shiawassee.jpg

Canoeing on the Shiawassee Riv...

HOLLY, Michigan – The Academy footbridge over the Shiawassee River will be getting some much needed safety enhancements thanks to a $1,000 Kodak American Greenways grant awarded to the Headwaters Trails organization.

Sue Julian, president of Headwaters Trails, said her organization is proud to be one of 28 projects recognized by Kodak American Greenways, and will use the funding as a challenge grant to complete the safety improvements which include railings and protective bollard to the footbridge that spans the Shiawassee River behind Holly Academy. Julian said total cost for the project is estimated to be $2,500.

Kodak American Greenways makes yearly grants to encourage the further development of recreational corridors that are grassroots initiatives. “The pathway system in the Holly area fits their criteria, and Headwaters Trails is delighted to have been recognized by this national group in which Eastman Kodak, the National Geographic Society, and The Conservation Fund are all partners,” Julian said.

Julian said the location is part of a proposed walking trail network that intersects with the Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail, a paddling trail that starts at WaterWorks Park in Holly and that will eventually stretch all the way to Saginaw Bay.

When completed, the walking paths will allow hikers and walkers to walk to this location from several different directions - the village of Holly, the Pulte development and Seven Lakes State Park.

“At the present time, the land is owned by the township of Holly,” Julian said. “School children and recreational walkers cross the footbridge which has already been improved by the township with the installation of a metal grating as the bridge floor,” she said. With churning water along this particular stretch of the Shiawassee River, Julian said the eventual addition of railing will be a welcomed improvement. “The bridge is only built to hold the weight of walkers, so bollards will also be installed to prevent motorized vehicles from crossing,” she added.

Headwaters Trails meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the Holly Village Chambers, 315 S. Broad St. at 7 p.m. The group encourages volunteers to join to help out on workdays, or just come and in to ask questions. For more information, contact Sue Julian at (248) 634-3513.