The Three Rivers City Commission has joined the Fabius Township Board in offering support for a First Steps Service Grant for planning a “recreational trail connector” between the City of Three Rivers and Meyer Broadway Park.

In action Tuesday evening (December 15th), the city commission went on record in support of the St. Joseph County Land Use Council (LUC) in its quest for a $7,000 grant from the Land Information Access Association (LIAA), a non-profit community service organization based in Traverse City, and its Partnerships for Change Program.

The Fabius Township Board registered similar support during its December meeting last week.

According to LIAA, First Steps projects are expected to take 4 to 6 months and cost no more than $7,000.

A draft of the grant application says that, for the purpose of this project, “the intent is to organize partners and stakeholders, facilitate community concerns and consensus, and develop a trail plan to guide implementation.”

The recreational trail connector is proposed to run from near the Three Rivers Health Medical Center (hospital) in the city limits, across US-131, and adjacent properties in Fabius Township to Meyer Broadway Park, a total of approximately 2.5 miles in length.

The First Steps Service Grants require a 20 percent cash contribution – $1,400 – from the local governments.  Eric Shafer of Waste Management attended Tuesday’s city commission meeting and indicated that the firm will provide that match.

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