Michigan's Rails-to-Trails Carolyn Kane Nationally Recognized

Carolyn Kane is recognized in Washington, D.C. for her service in promoting and developing rails-to-trails systems throughout West Michigan. (supplied photo)

based on a news article in the Ionia County Sentinel-Standard

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy honored Carolyn Kane as one of 25 people across the United States with a special passion for trails.

Kane began her involvement with the Friends of the Heartland Trail in 1994. Serving on the board, the group has since created 37.5 miles of rail trail from Ionia to Greenville. They had to raise $2.3 million dollars to succeed in this endeavor.

Next, Kane went to work with the West Michigan Trails and Greenway Coalition, and is currently working on connecting 125 miles of trails that goes through six counties to make the fifth largest rail trail in the nation.

She commented, “They said what I had done was very unusual from all the other people. I have done so many things; I did the banking, worked on maintenance, I covered the whole gamut for what it takes to build a trail, and I thought that was really nice of them to tell me that and point that out. Whether it was administration work for trail building, fundraising, maintenance, I was there, and had been supportive for a long time as a volunteer."



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MTGA Reports Non-Motorized Map Update for SW MI

from the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance

Phase I of the Non-Motorized Map Update and Plan for MDOT?s Southwest Region (Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren Counties) was approved by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). This proposal would not have been completed without the hard work of the SMART Task Force. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission will be the lead agency.

The Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference will be Oct 25-28, 2009. SMART is also lending their assistance to Nancy Krupiarz (MTGA) in the planning and volunteering for the Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference to be held on October 25-28, 2009 in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the Radisson Hotel. It will be great to work with Kalamazoo City and County, the Kalamazoo River Valley Trailway and many others who worked so hard to get the conference in Kalamazoo.

Professionals, advocates and trail users are working together to create a growing network of greenways and trails tying together people, places and pportunities for recreation. In the spirit of working together, the 4th Mid-America Trails & Greenways Conference celebrates existing and new connections and offers an excellent opportunity for all those involved in trails and greenways to share our experiences, learn from each other and continue connecting our trails and greenways.

Kalamazoo combines a wealth of recreational trails, parks and natural areas with a vibrant mix of historic neighborhoods and a renovated and vibrant Art Deco downtown. Named by the Urban Land Institute as “Top Ten Turnaround Downtown”, Kalamazoo offers many award-winning visitor destinations from brewpubs and wineries to outstanding museums to sparking lakes and rivers that will offer an enjoyable experience for all participants.

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Building Trails to a New Partnership

a news release of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and Michigan Fitness Foundation Join to Promote Active Living

A new partnership between the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) has been formed to connect trails and get Michigan moving. The organizations announced today that beginning November, 2008, MFF will assume responsibility for MTGA’s administrative operations. MTGA’s board of directors and staff will continue to address their mission as an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization. For efficiency in operations, MTGA staff will move to the MFF office located at 1213 Center Street in Lansing’s Old Town. MTGA phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same.

MTGA’s mission is to foster and facilitate the development of an interconnected statewide system of multi-use trails across the state for recreation, transportation, conservation, health, and economic development.

"The shifting of the administrative burden will allow us to take the trails movement in Michigan to the next level," said Nancy Krupiarz, executive director of MTGA. "We will be able to more fully dedicate ourselves to advancing the development of Michigan’s interconnected trailways system."

Since 2005, the organization has provided technical assistance throughout the state on all aspects of trail planning, building, operations, and maintenance. MTGA is dedicated to working at the state and local levels advocating for policies that facilitate the development of trails. In addition, they educate the public through presentations, statewide trail maps and Web resources, and through the annual Michigander bicycle trail tour.

Marilyn Lieber, president and CEO of the Michigan Fitness Foundation, sees this partnership advancing both nonprofits’ missions.

"A connected system of trails is an essential component of active community environments. Enhancing the opportunities for MTGA staff and its dedicated board members to address trail programs, full time, supports our mission of promoting healthy lifestyles in communities designed to support physical activity."

The partnership was approved unanimously by the MTGA and MFF boards at their October meetings. It is anticipated that the move will be complete in December.

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