This is the official park brochure for Fitzgerald Park, circa 2003. Click on each brochure page for a larger view.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Lincoln Brick Park: Notes
Lincoln Brick Park
5/3/03
I headed out tonight for more hiking in Grand Ledge. This time I did the loops at Lincoln Brick Park. The terrain is great. Basically, the park has parallel trails along the river - one on top of the ledges, one along the river. Both are nice. Those sandstone outcroppings in that old quarry are very nice.
On the south (or east) side of the park, I took the TallmanTrail to its end in someone's yard. It looked as if the trail continued through the yard to Tallman Rd. And, in fact, it does. I didn't want to hike through until verifying legality. I asked a few people on the way back to my car and they said that the family lets people hike through.
I still want to confirm with the city, but this allows access to the Grand Ledge city sidewalk system. A hiker can take this one mile into Grand Ledge and cross the Grand River onRiver St. A short hike takes the hiker to Island Park and eastern terminus of the Ledges Trail - the end of my 4 to 5 mile hike reported earlier.
There does appear to be another river park on the sidewalk section. I saw climbers there last night. It seems possible, at least, that there might be a path along the riverbank down there from the neighborhoods on the cliff. It also seems like this hike might be extended by using sidewalks farther east past the River St. bridge.
5/3/03
I headed out tonight for more hiking in Grand Ledge. This time I did the loops at Lincoln Brick Park. The terrain is great. Basically, the park has parallel trails along the river - one on top of the ledges, one along the river. Both are nice. Those sandstone outcroppings in that old quarry are very nice.
On the south (or east) side of the park, I took the TallmanTrail to its end in someone's yard. It looked as if the trail continued through the yard to Tallman Rd. And, in fact, it does. I didn't want to hike through until verifying legality. I asked a few people on the way back to my car and they said that the family lets people hike through.
I still want to confirm with the city, but this allows access to the Grand Ledge city sidewalk system. A hiker can take this one mile into Grand Ledge and cross the Grand River onRiver St. A short hike takes the hiker to Island Park and eastern terminus of the Ledges Trail - the end of my 4 to 5 mile hike reported earlier.
There does appear to be another river park on the sidewalk section. I saw climbers there last night. It seems possible, at least, that there might be a path along the riverbank down there from the neighborhoods on the cliff. It also seems like this hike might be extended by using sidewalks farther east past the River St. bridge.
Fitzgerald Park: Hike Notes
Fitzgerald Park
5/2/03
After getting out of my conference tonight, I decided to get a little hiking in and headed to Grand Ledge. I started at the parking area for Fitzgerald Park and proceeded to hike about 2.5 miles of the 3 designated miles of trail. There are many more trails, it seems, that have been created by renegade hikers.
I took several of these, including one that followed the bank of one of themost gorgeous little streams in this part of the state. It had bubbling rapids and small waterfalls. I followed it back to a pretty large drop over some sandstone. This had a small human impoundment on it that was mostly collapsed. It made for a nice rush of water and good view. This made up for the trash that seemed to proliferate in some spots.
There were also some dramatic ascents/descents in this park, with great views of the stream bed up high and flowers all around.The Grand River in this section of the park has a sand beach as you get nice views of the dam. Then, I passed the sewage treatmentplant, a playground and an old revival barn from the 1800s to reach the Ledges Trail. This is way cool and provides rock formations that can be observed and climbed on.
For some reason, a section of this area has been turned into a disk golf course - don't ask me why. After a bit, I passed under a dramatically high railroad trestle and on to a beautiful picnic area at Island Park. I may check this place out again tomorrow. I'm hoping to find a route through town with pedestrian access to Lincoln Brick Park. I probably hiked about 4 or 5 miles tonight and hope to get a good ten-miler for my regular rotation. Waterfalls. Rock Formations. Bubbling streams. Big rail trestle. This is not a bad place.
5/2/03
After getting out of my conference tonight, I decided to get a little hiking in and headed to Grand Ledge. I started at the parking area for Fitzgerald Park and proceeded to hike about 2.5 miles of the 3 designated miles of trail. There are many more trails, it seems, that have been created by renegade hikers.
I took several of these, including one that followed the bank of one of themost gorgeous little streams in this part of the state. It had bubbling rapids and small waterfalls. I followed it back to a pretty large drop over some sandstone. This had a small human impoundment on it that was mostly collapsed. It made for a nice rush of water and good view. This made up for the trash that seemed to proliferate in some spots.
There were also some dramatic ascents/descents in this park, with great views of the stream bed up high and flowers all around.The Grand River in this section of the park has a sand beach as you get nice views of the dam. Then, I passed the sewage treatmentplant, a playground and an old revival barn from the 1800s to reach the Ledges Trail. This is way cool and provides rock formations that can be observed and climbed on.
For some reason, a section of this area has been turned into a disk golf course - don't ask me why. After a bit, I passed under a dramatically high railroad trestle and on to a beautiful picnic area at Island Park. I may check this place out again tomorrow. I'm hoping to find a route through town with pedestrian access to Lincoln Brick Park. I probably hiked about 4 or 5 miles tonight and hope to get a good ten-miler for my regular rotation. Waterfalls. Rock Formations. Bubbling streams. Big rail trestle. This is not a bad place.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Hiking Notes: Monroe County Community College
Note: I wrote these trail notes in 1999. The information is basically still accurate. There is one exception. The second bridge described below is now chained closed. The best access to the bird sanctuary is from an access on Raisinville Road.
Monroe County Community College Hike
Location: Monroe Township
Name: Exercise Trail Trail
Distance: 2+ miles
Surface: Cut grass
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Downtown Monroe, Follow Monroe Street (M-125) south over the river and turn right on Front St. (M-50). FollowM-50 west to the traffic lights at Raisinville. Turn left. Follow Raisinville a mile or two. The community college is on the left. Park in their lot. Total distance from Downtown Monroe is 5 miles. The drive takes 5 or 10 minutes.
Facilities: There are restrooms, water and pop machines inside of the community college buildings.
Contact: Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI 48161; (734) 242-7300
Description:
I have to admit that my expectations were not high when I pulled into the parking lot. I remember walking this trail when I was a kid and I figured that a decade and a half of decay wouldn't have improved the trail. I was surprised.
The trailhead is just outside the entrance to the health education building - the first parking lot that you encounter driving south on Raisinville. Look for a large wooden signboard. To follow the trail, look for numbered exercise stations and occasional posts with arrows.
The trail initially heads north away from the left side of the building. It follows a long area of brush and trees. Birds and rabbits were numerous. At about. 4 miles, the trail makes a u-¬turn around the other side of the brush heads back towards the health center. The markers are not clear when you reach the center, but you can walk around the back of the building towards a station in the middle of a field. Walk along the east side of a ditch towards a bridge over which you cross.
From here, you should follow the grassy area between a parking lot and the west side of the ditch. The next station is in a rather secluded area of trees and mowed grass surrounded by brush. This would be a nice place to have a picnic.
Follow the edge of the woods around to a similar cleared area. You should see and cross a second walking bridge. Once you cross, you will see a large log to the left obviously placed there to direct you to the right. As you walk west, you will see a path lead into the woods to your left. Take this. In a few yards, you will be able to see a pond behind some brush. When I was here, I saw some people with fishing poles. Apparently there are fish in the pond. Walk around the pond and continue heading west.
When you almost reach Raisinville Rd., the trail will make another u-turn. Return across the bridge and follow the edge of the woods to the west. For a time, you will need to follow closely along the community college access road. The exercise trail continues very close to Raisinville Road, but I found it more interesting to cut across the front lawn of the college along a large landscaping pond with a fountain in its center.
As you leave the pond, you will see a hill ahead. Walk towards the historical marker at its summit. The sign describes the fact that the site of the community college used to be a debtors settlement. Those who died at this "potter's field" were buried underneath the hill- so don't walk too heavily. Apparently, people were buried at the site until the 1940's.
At this point, you need to cross two entrances and return to the entrance of the health education building and your car.
Recommendation: I enjoyed this trail. My recommendation would be to walk it early in the morning, at dusk, or when community college classes are not in session. Otherwise, I imagine that this could be a very busy place. The pond in the woods was a complete surprise and bears some further investigation. I also enjoyed the historical marker of the potter's field. This trail offers some variety from the otherwise paved trails along the River Raisin.
Monroe County Community College Hike
Location: Monroe Township
Name: Exercise Trail Trail
Distance: 2+ miles
Surface: Cut grass
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Downtown Monroe, Follow Monroe Street (M-125) south over the river and turn right on Front St. (M-50). FollowM-50 west to the traffic lights at Raisinville. Turn left. Follow Raisinville a mile or two. The community college is on the left. Park in their lot. Total distance from Downtown Monroe is 5 miles. The drive takes 5 or 10 minutes.
Facilities: There are restrooms, water and pop machines inside of the community college buildings.
Contact: Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI 48161; (734) 242-7300
Description:
I have to admit that my expectations were not high when I pulled into the parking lot. I remember walking this trail when I was a kid and I figured that a decade and a half of decay wouldn't have improved the trail. I was surprised.
The trailhead is just outside the entrance to the health education building - the first parking lot that you encounter driving south on Raisinville. Look for a large wooden signboard. To follow the trail, look for numbered exercise stations and occasional posts with arrows.
The trail initially heads north away from the left side of the building. It follows a long area of brush and trees. Birds and rabbits were numerous. At about. 4 miles, the trail makes a u-¬turn around the other side of the brush heads back towards the health center. The markers are not clear when you reach the center, but you can walk around the back of the building towards a station in the middle of a field. Walk along the east side of a ditch towards a bridge over which you cross.
From here, you should follow the grassy area between a parking lot and the west side of the ditch. The next station is in a rather secluded area of trees and mowed grass surrounded by brush. This would be a nice place to have a picnic.
Follow the edge of the woods around to a similar cleared area. You should see and cross a second walking bridge. Once you cross, you will see a large log to the left obviously placed there to direct you to the right. As you walk west, you will see a path lead into the woods to your left. Take this. In a few yards, you will be able to see a pond behind some brush. When I was here, I saw some people with fishing poles. Apparently there are fish in the pond. Walk around the pond and continue heading west.
When you almost reach Raisinville Rd., the trail will make another u-turn. Return across the bridge and follow the edge of the woods to the west. For a time, you will need to follow closely along the community college access road. The exercise trail continues very close to Raisinville Road, but I found it more interesting to cut across the front lawn of the college along a large landscaping pond with a fountain in its center.
As you leave the pond, you will see a hill ahead. Walk towards the historical marker at its summit. The sign describes the fact that the site of the community college used to be a debtors settlement. Those who died at this "potter's field" were buried underneath the hill- so don't walk too heavily. Apparently, people were buried at the site until the 1940's.
At this point, you need to cross two entrances and return to the entrance of the health education building and your car.
Recommendation: I enjoyed this trail. My recommendation would be to walk it early in the morning, at dusk, or when community college classes are not in session. Otherwise, I imagine that this could be a very busy place. The pond in the woods was a complete surprise and bears some further investigation. I also enjoyed the historical marker of the potter's field. This trail offers some variety from the otherwise paved trails along the River Raisin.
Hiking Notes: Bedford Branch Library
I wrote the following hiking notes in 1999:
Bedford Branch Library
Municipality: Temperance, Bedford Township
Trail name: Library Nature Center Trail
Trail Distance: .25 miles of designated trail loop; 1 mile including umnaintained loop trail
Surface: woodchips on maintained sections, dirt and sand in umnaintained areas
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Monroe, travel south on Monroe Street (M-125) to within 1.5 miles of the Ohio border. Turn right on Sterns Road. After about 3.5 miles, turn right on Jackman Road. Follow the library signs about 1.5 miles and park in the southwest corner of the lot. The drive from Downtown Monroe is 19 miles and takes about 20-25 minutes.
Facilities: Water, bathrooms and books are available within the library. Monthly, guided nature walks are also conducted by library staff.
Contact: Contact the Bedford Branch Library: 8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance, MI 48182; (734) 847-6747
Description: The Bedford Branch Library is the jewel of the Monroe County Library System. Facilities are modern and a nature center has been developed behind the building. To find the trailhead, head left of the main entrance. Follow this for a quarter mile until you
almost return to the parking lot. This is the end of the maintained path. At this point, you will see a well-worn dirt trail heading off to the right. There are occasional spur trails, but if you follow this main path, you will pass through a wooded area and reach an intriguing dune area. When I visited in June of 1999, there was a pond in the middle. This would be a very nice place to read a book or eat lunch. Follow the edge of the dune area to the right and pick up a trail that leads back into the woods. After a short walk, you will hit an intersection. Stay left. The trail to the right leads to private property. The trail to the left leads back to the dune. Again, follow the dune to the right and pick up another trail that connects to the trail back to the library. The unmaintained trail totals about.75 miles. Just a note: 1 believe that the unmaintained trail crosses Bedford Schools property, so be mindful of school hours.
Recommendation: I found this trail to be very interesting. Birders, families and residents of Bedford would especially like this trail.
Bedford Branch Library
Municipality: Temperance, Bedford Township
Trail name: Library Nature Center Trail
Trail Distance: .25 miles of designated trail loop; 1 mile including umnaintained loop trail
Surface: woodchips on maintained sections, dirt and sand in umnaintained areas
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Monroe, travel south on Monroe Street (M-125) to within 1.5 miles of the Ohio border. Turn right on Sterns Road. After about 3.5 miles, turn right on Jackman Road. Follow the library signs about 1.5 miles and park in the southwest corner of the lot. The drive from Downtown Monroe is 19 miles and takes about 20-25 minutes.
Facilities: Water, bathrooms and books are available within the library. Monthly, guided nature walks are also conducted by library staff.
Contact: Contact the Bedford Branch Library: 8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance, MI 48182; (734) 847-6747
Description: The Bedford Branch Library is the jewel of the Monroe County Library System. Facilities are modern and a nature center has been developed behind the building. To find the trailhead, head left of the main entrance. Follow this for a quarter mile until you
almost return to the parking lot. This is the end of the maintained path. At this point, you will see a well-worn dirt trail heading off to the right. There are occasional spur trails, but if you follow this main path, you will pass through a wooded area and reach an intriguing dune area. When I visited in June of 1999, there was a pond in the middle. This would be a very nice place to read a book or eat lunch. Follow the edge of the dune area to the right and pick up a trail that leads back into the woods. After a short walk, you will hit an intersection. Stay left. The trail to the right leads to private property. The trail to the left leads back to the dune. Again, follow the dune to the right and pick up another trail that connects to the trail back to the library. The unmaintained trail totals about.75 miles. Just a note: 1 believe that the unmaintained trail crosses Bedford Schools property, so be mindful of school hours.
Recommendation: I found this trail to be very interesting. Birders, families and residents of Bedford would especially like this trail.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Lewis Avenue Sidepath
A sidepath is a wide, paved, roadside edge that allows bikers and walkers to move safely away from traffic. Sidepaths do not have a physical separation from the roadway, except for a white line. The following sidepath was constructed in Temperance:
Lewis Avenue Sidepath
Municipality: Temperance, Bedford Township
Trail Name: Not applicable
Trail Distance: 3.5 miles on each side of roadway; 7 miles total
Surface: Asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Monroe, follow Monroe Street (M-125) south to Luna Pier Road in Erie township .. Take a right and follow Luna Pier road/County Road 151 for just over 4 miles to Lewis Avenue. Make a left onto Lewis. The bikeway begins about two thirds of a mile to the south at the intersection of Lewis and Pickard Road. Although there are various possibilities for trailheads, the best choices appear to be Carr Park on the east side of Lewis near the north end of the bikeway or at the Monroe County Community College Whitman Center near the south end of the bikeway.
Description: While this is not a particularly natural area, I do think that this is a good example of what could happen in other areas of the county. On each side of Lewis Avenue is a signed and marked bike lane through the heart of Temperance. Lewis
Avenue is a busy road and bikers/walkers are not separated from traffic. The lane, however, is fairly wide and a family of five that I saw on the path had no trouble. Curbs might be a problem in Temperance and there do not appear to be pedestrian crosswalks at either end of the path. There are several restaurants and stores in Temperance to stop at for a drink or dinner.
Recommendation: This is a good place for residents of Temperance to walk or ride.
Municipality: Temperance, Bedford Township
Trail Name: Not applicable
Trail Distance: 3.5 miles on each side of roadway; 7 miles total
Surface: Asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Monroe, follow Monroe Street (M-125) south to Luna Pier Road in Erie township .. Take a right and follow Luna Pier road/County Road 151 for just over 4 miles to Lewis Avenue. Make a left onto Lewis. The bikeway begins about two thirds of a mile to the south at the intersection of Lewis and Pickard Road. Although there are various possibilities for trailheads, the best choices appear to be Carr Park on the east side of Lewis near the north end of the bikeway or at the Monroe County Community College Whitman Center near the south end of the bikeway.
Description: While this is not a particularly natural area, I do think that this is a good example of what could happen in other areas of the county. On each side of Lewis Avenue is a signed and marked bike lane through the heart of Temperance. Lewis
Avenue is a busy road and bikers/walkers are not separated from traffic. The lane, however, is fairly wide and a family of five that I saw on the path had no trouble. Curbs might be a problem in Temperance and there do not appear to be pedestrian crosswalks at either end of the path. There are several restaurants and stores in Temperance to stop at for a drink or dinner.
Recommendation: This is a good place for residents of Temperance to walk or ride.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Monday, April 2, 2007
Classes You Can Take
Southeast Michigan has many community education-type courses that area residents can take. Here are just a few links to find these courses:
Monroe County Community College community education courses:
http://www.monroeccc.edu/ccs/lifelong.htm
Michigan Learnport - Online Professional Development Classes for Teachers:
http://www.learnport.org/
Michigan Online Community College Courses:
http://vcampus.mccvlc.org/
Monroe Public Schools' community education courses:
http://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/community/index.html
Pewabic Pottery Classes - Detroit:
http://www.pewabic.com/class-schedule.htm
Toledo Museum of Art Classes - Toledo:
http://www.toledomuseum.org/School_main.htm
Zingerman's Bakehouse Classes - Ann Arbor:
http://www.zingermansbakehouse.com/content/pages/classes.php
Monroe County Community College community education courses:
http://www.monroeccc.edu/ccs/lifelong.htm
Michigan Learnport - Online Professional Development Classes for Teachers:
http://www.learnport.org/
Michigan Online Community College Courses:
http://vcampus.mccvlc.org/
Monroe Public Schools' community education courses:
http://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/community/index.html
Pewabic Pottery Classes - Detroit:
http://www.pewabic.com/class-schedule.htm
Toledo Museum of Art Classes - Toledo:
http://www.toledomuseum.org/School_main.htm
Zingerman's Bakehouse Classes - Ann Arbor:
http://www.zingermansbakehouse.com/content/pages/classes.php
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