University Outreach was pleased to partner with Keepers of the Shiawassee and several other organizations to promote the Shiawassee River and its long-term protection. Thanks to a generous grant from the Fenton Community Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, interpretive signs were created and placed near the river in Fenton, Linden, and Argentine; a water trail guide was developed; and plans for building a canoe/kayak launch in Argentine are underway!
Illustrator Gayle Vandercook poses with the sign installed at Bush Park in Fenton
The Shiawassee River gets it start in north Oakland County and Holly, Fenton, Linden and Argentine and flows all the way to the Saginaw River. The Keepers of the Shiawassee is a volunteer group that is developing the river as a paddling trail by organizing cleanups, installation of signage, and canoe/kayak launches. “The Shiawassee River is one of our greatest resources and has the opportunity to provide recreation and economic development to our region” stated Maggie Yerman an advocate for the Shiawassee River and key organizer of Keepers of the Shiawassee.
University Outreach provided support to Keepers of the Shiawassee to complete the project and brought together several partners to work collaboratively on the project including: Headwaters Trails, Inc., Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation, the City of Fenton, City of Linden, and Argentine Township.
The water trail would not stop in Genesee County, the development and promotion of the river is spearheaded by Friends of the Shiawassee River in Shiawassee County. At the end of the day, these collective groups hope to see a paddling trail that’s nearly 100 miles long from Holly all the way to the Shiawassee Flats.