Future Projects
River Valley Rail Trail Connection
For several years, LARA has been working with the member communities to plan and secure funding for a two-phased project that will close the trail gap through Lowell, eventually making the last connection to the Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trail terminus on Montcalm Ave. Funds for Phase 1 have been committed and the final design and permitting are underway at this time (March 2023), with anticipated completion in the summer of 2024.
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Phase 1 – Lowell Township North Riverside Park to City of Lowell Recreation Park (Fairgrounds) - Phase 1 will connect to
the existing pathway in the Lowell Township North Riverside Park and continue east eventually going thru Stoney Lakeside Park
and then under Hudson Street to Recreation Park (Fairgrounds) where it will connect to the existing sidewalks at the intersection
of Hudson St. and Bowes Rd. The proposed improvements include the installation of new paved non-motorized trails, pedestrian
bridges, benches, and signage.
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Phase 2 – City of Lowell Recreation Park (Fairgrounds) to Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail Trail – Continuing east from
Recreation Park (Fairgrounds), Phase 2 will require a new pedestrian bridge to be built over the Grand River, and then the trail will
continue east within easements from abandoned rail properties and other private parcels. The trail will cross S. Jackson Street
and continue the abandoned railbed to Montcalm Avenue where the existing Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail Trail currently
ends.
