THE ECONOMIC CATALYST WHERE BLUE MEETS GREEN
The City of Trenton was designated a Pure Michigan Trail Town by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in partnership with Pure Michigan. Trenton joins only 7 other communities that have been awarded this prestigious designation. Benefits from having this designation include being incorporated into Pure Michigan maps and in their extensive marketing materials, as well as the use of their branding. A “Pure Michigan” Trail Town is a prestigious designation that also serves as a catalyst for community and economic prosperity. For more information visit the DNR’s Trail Town landing page at www.michigan.gov. Becoming a “Pure Michigan” designated Trail Town requires a rigorous application process and fulfilling some very specific requirements to meet the standard that has been designated by the state. Similarly, Flat Rock is a federally designated trail town within the Huron River Water Trail system. The Huron River is the 18th National Water Trails System nationally, a national designation with only 33 trails nationwide. More information on that can be found here. These two downriver communities are both state and federally recognized and part of what is 100+ miles of greenways and waterways that are concentrated throughout the downriver region of southern Wayne County. With both Trenton and Flat Rock, this area is quickly transforming its image with four metro parks, North America’s only International Wildlife Refuge, and three of the state’s major tributaries in the Huron, Rouge, and Detroit Rivers. Downriver truly is Michigan’s southeast coast with its landmark natural assets and abundant public access to these waterways. This environmental transformation and resurgence of the 18 communities that make up downriver is now fueling new interest in this part of our state. According to Ron Hinrichs, president and CEO of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, “the parklands, trails, and river conservation are all blending with downtown development and area small businesses as these different parts of our communities become interconnected. Over the past several years, numerous studies have identified the economic benefits of parks and trails so that area businesses are now better able to leverage those benefits. Our trails and parklands are intrinsically valuable because of the healthy outcomes they afford to residents, visitors, and our merchants by paying dividends to regions like ours that invest in them.“ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IS AN ASSET AS MUCH AS THE 100+ MILES OF TRAILS THAT KNIT TOGETHER 18 DOWNRIVER COMMUNITIES.
Second, an equally human connection, we are struck by the cultural and ethnic diversity prevalent throughout all the Downriver communities. The differences and cultural crossovers have helped to shape and define this region and are just as appealing and engaging as the natural wonders that go with having miles of riverfront along the three large tributaries that converge in this area of Michigan.
Downriver is a microcosm of what you’d expect to find in a major metropolitan area with one possible exception, we are 18 small communities integrated and operating as one multi-cultural, multiracial population. So, whether it’s a vast array of dining choices from around the globe or hemisphere, urban kayak adventuring, strolling through more than 7,000 acres of parklands or discovering new and interesting shops or festivals, not many areas of our state can rival the variety of experiences you can have in downriver’s own backyard.
WE ARE 18 SMALL COMMUNITIES INTEGRATED AND OPERATING AS ONE MULTI-CULTURAL, MULTIRACIAL POPULATION.
WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND as you think about what makes living in this part of the Great Lakes State special?
Take stock of the special community of people and the social connectivity that comes with being part of this place where we’re all neighbors. Learn the stories that Downriver has to tell. Ample research shows that people who are more socially connected live longer lives and are more protected against stress, depression and decline in memory.
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