(Chelsea Update would like to thank Laura Blodgett for the information in this story.)
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) has pledged $125,000 and an additional $125,000 in matching funds to complete a looped bike and pedestrian trail across western Washtenaw County that will ultimately connect to the statewide Iron Belle Trail.
Led by the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative (HWPI), this circular trail called “The Loop” will tie the Border-2-Border Trail and the Lakelands Trail into a single integrated trail section. The resulting 44-mile continuous loop will connect the Chelsea, Dexter, Pinckney and Waterloo recreation areas to the State’s Iron Belle System, and create a unique and highly attractive destination for regional events and activities.
With nearly 50 percent of the state population within an hour drive of The Loop, more than four million Michigan residents will have enhanced access to healthy recreation, improving the health and wellness of the community.
“As one of the major health systems in southeast Michigan, St. Joe’s wants to help communities stay well by encouraging fitness and an active lifestyle,” said Rob Casalou, regional president and CEO, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. “We want to provide a significant boost to this initiative to show our enthusiasm for this effort that will create opportunities for people across the state to move and be active.”
This year, SJMHS has launched its wellness initiative “Join Me” to start a conversation with local residents on how to improve the health and wellness of local communities. Access to safe, walkable trails that provide recreational options for themselves and their families was one of the very things that people in the community said was important to them during a series of lunch meetings St. Joe’s held in local communities.
As part of its community health needs assessment, SJMHS determined that obesity is one of the greatest areas of need in which to focus its community benefit resources. According to the 2015 Health Improvement Plan Washtenaw County health survey, roughly 58 percent of respondents in the Chelsea/Dexter-area were either overweight or obese with half of Chelsea/Dexter residents not meeting the aerobic recommendations for physical activity according to the physical activity index.
St. Joe’s contribution to this trail is part of its community benefit program funding to address these health issues.
In addition, a large proportion of the Chelsea community is over 65 years old and social exclusion has been identified as an area of concern by local community health professionals, according to Nancy Graebner, president and CEO, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea.
“The Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative has the ability to positively impact this social determinant of health by building a new connection between neighbors, businesses and community gathering places, creating a more inclusive, social environment for residents,” said Graebner.
Centrally located between Lansing and Ann Arbor, the Loop Regional Trail System includes the Border-2-Border Trail of the Washtenaw Country Parks System, the Dexter to Chelsea Connector, the Chelsea to Stockbridge connector via the M-52 corridor, Waterloo/Pinckney recreation areas and Lakeland’s State Trail which runs from Stockbridge to Pinckney and connects to the Border-2-Border trail.
The Loop Regional Trail System will connect the thriving downtown communities of southeastern Michigan to the natural beauty of the region, enhancing access to business communities and encouraging healthy outdoor activity to area residents.
Walkers, runners and bikers of this new loop will experience an exciting blend of scenery, including farmland, woods, river/streams and small towns.
“St. Joe’s donation represents significant support from the local community for this regional trail system,” says Jeff Hardcastle, board chair of HWPI, a private advocacy group formed by local residents in western Washtenaw County to move this project forward.
HWPI kicked off their capital campaign this summer, and St. Joe’s joins other significant private sponsors including Jiffy Mix, Chelsea State Bank, the Feeney Family, and Bloom Roofing.
Partners directly supporting the project include the 5H Foundation, Legacy Land Conservancy, The Big 400, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and both the Washtenaw County Road and Parks and Recreation commissions.
In addition to seeking $1 million in private donations, HWPI is currently applying for grants through MDOT and DNR to raise funds for this $10-12 million project.
The Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative will oversee the development and assist in management of the trail once it is complete.
If funding goals are met, the first phase of construction, a 4.7 mile section from Chelsea to North Territorial Road which links the Waterloo and Pinckney State Recreation areas, Green Lake Campground, the W.P. State Hiking Trail and Waterloo Mountain Bike Trail System, should commence as early as spring 2017.
For more information or to donate, visit http://hwpathways.org/.
