Riverwalk Task Force

NORTHVILLIANS,

It was great to see many of you at the 3^rd annual Thanksgiving Community gathering at FUMC-Northville where many Northville businesses and organizations donated and volunteered for the sit-down dinner for 200. We had linens on the tables, music in the air, a kids’ corner and Lions action on the big screen.  I thank all who came together for this Thanksgiving event.

Over the next few weeks, I will write about the work done by the task forces (Riverwalk, Ford Field, Farmers’ Market and recently, the Cemetery Restoration Team along with the Bicentennial Group).  We are so fortunate to have close to 7% of our citizens engaged sharing their time and talents on Tak Forces, Boards & Committees for the benefit of all in the community. This week, we will look at the tremendous progress of the Riverwalk Team.

Riverwalk Team Update…

THE RIVER TRULY RUNS THROUGH IT! The “Task Force Update” theme begins as we touch on the highlights of the Riverwalk Group. The Rouge at the Downs now sees the sunlight for the first time since last century. It was placed underground to create space for the largest fair in the State (Wayne County Fair till 1944) & give more room for the barns back in the days.

Recent updates on Downs Section of the Riverwalk:

• Pathways & step-down areas leading down to the river have been built.
• Two 50 ft x 10 ft pedestrian bridges now cross the river & have been placed on the abutments which are a work of art in themselves.
• The log cabin is taking shape as the welcoming center for this park on the South side, where the 20 miles of Hines Drive pathways join this network of walkways.
• The close to 10-acre bioswale park and pathway network is the first of 5 riverwalk sections that will be taking shape by 2027.
• The “Downs” development will have 31% green space, with rivers (Johnson Creek & Rouge River) running through its multiple open areas for all to enjoy.
• These parks and the Log Cabin will be under the supervision of Northville Parks & Rec.
• From the pathway system through the Downs, citizens will be able to walk or bike south to Ohio, north to Mackinaw City, and connect to other pathways leading to City Parks, Township gathering spaces along with County and State Parks.  
• Rivers are important to our economic development in Northville, where at one time we had some of the earliest Michigan sawmills & grist mills. This river power fueled Northville’s expansion during the Industrial Revolution (before electricity was invented). Our waterways come together from four individual counties, feeding fresh water from Northville into the Great Lakes through the Detroit River.
• The riverwalk restoration group has done tremendous work under Nancy Darga, and they have truly made a transformational impact… I thank them tremendously.
• I look forward to a ribbon cutting event in the spring when the park will be turned over to the public.

The concept that “The River runs through it…” is part of our DNA. I encourage you to experience all the placemaking areas in our town which was historically known as the “Hamlet in the Hills” or “Switzerland of Wayne County.”

Get out and enjoy our green spaces and touchpoints around our river systems. Prepare yourself to experience the burbling brook running through the Downs River Park, past the historic log cabin and north through the local topography merging with additional sections of our waterway system. Enjoy these placemaking areas in our town we love.

Keep that Northville Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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