BRIGHTON, Mich. (WXYZ) — Huron-Clinton Metroparks are working to make all of their parks more accessible to all with several projects in the works thanks to several grant partners.
At Stony Creek Metropark in Oakland and Macomb counties, the group is redeveloping Shelden Trail to enhance user safety and make it usable or hand-cycles and adaptive mountain bikes. On top of that, thanks to a grant from the League of Michigan Bicyclists, a new hand cycle is available to rent at the park.
At Dexter-Huron Metropark, there will be a 10-foot wide accessible path from an existing paved parking lot to the Border-to-Border segment of the Iron Belle Trail, adding striping and signage with accessible van space.
Another grant will work to add Iron Belle Trail signage in three Metroparks in Wayne County; Lower Huron, WIllow and Oakwoods. Those signs will include three major trailhead signs, five minor trailheads, two bicycle/wheelchair repair stations, various trail crossing improvements and more.
These additions come after a major push to improve accessibility at the parks which included the installation of wheelchair accessible fishing platforms at Maltby Lake at Huron Meadows Metropark and on Black Creek at Lake St. Clair Metropark. There are also several sensory-friendly accommodations at the Metroparks.
“A main focus for us is making sure the parks serve everyone,” said Amy McMillan, Director at the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority. “We want to create opportunities for all to take advantage of their local Metroparks and it’s great to have partners that share that commitment. These projects are just the latest in a long-term effort and more will be coming soon.”
