Cassopolis seeking grant for walking/biking trail between Horne Park and Stone Lake

Published 6:15 am Tuesday, March 16, 2004

By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS -- Many members of the public who came at 7 p.m. to attend the Cassopolis Village Council meeting Tuesday, March 9, were surprised to learn a "public hearing" had been held at 6 p.m. about a grant application for a walking trail from Don Horne Park to Stone Lake.
During the regular meeting of the council the application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources was approved.
The projected cost of the project is $118,000, with the village expected to match the $87,300 grant with $30,700 from village funds, if the grant is approved.
The project was originally introduced in the long range plan, before other improvements and additions to Stone Lake, such as the wooden boardwalk were added.
Eventually it is hoped that a path would extend around the lake. The section for which the council seeks a grant would be eight feet wide and go throughout Don Horne Park, around an existing pond, along State and Disbrow streets, connecting Cass District Library to Stone Lake.
Residents like Joe Ritter, who uses a motorized scooter, have complained in the past access was needed for those, like him, who wanted to reach the library to attend events.
This proposed trail would "provide residents with access to areas for recreation, exercise and to observe nature," the grant statement reads.
The approximately 1.25 miles, or 6,500-foot trail, could be used by walkers, bikers, joggers and in-line skating and would lead to the public fishing area at Stone Lake.
The last grant the village received for park improvements was so the Log Cabin park could be updated in 1995.
Wightman and Associates of Benton Harbor served as the preliminary engineers furnishing the council with a cost estimate of $118,000, which included $10,500 for design and construction engineering.