BRODHEAD - The City of Brodhead and local community organizers recently received official word that the Pearl Island Recreation Corridor has been tentatively notified that its grant application has been approved.
In total, the community will receive matching grant funding from the Urban Rivers Program for $149,375 and the Recreational Trails Program for $200,000. A federal review of the grants will be completed and then funds will be officially presented to the community.
Pearl Island is the 180 acre area between the Sugar River and along Mill Race. It will connect the community to the river with trails, portage areas, boat landings, boardwalk pathways and allow for natural recreational activities, such as: biking, walking, hiking, wildlife viewing and snow shoeing. Creating access to many natural areas, as well as, the downtown and nearby campground, will provide attractions for visitors and local residents alike.
Some of the project highlights include the construction of a covered pedestrian/bicycle bridge connecting the Mill Race trail to downtown Brodhead at Putnam Park and improvements to the look-out facilities at Decatur Park, also known as Boy Scout Park.
"We have been working on this project for over four years. It's rewarding to have our hard work pay off for this community and Green County," said Ric Genthe, who spearheaded the project. "The Sugar River is our best asset and we have not been utilizing it to the benefit of our community. This project will put the river in the spotlight where it belongs."
"It was pretty exciting to open that letter," said Rich Vogel of the Brodhead Public Works Dept., who has been working with Genthe and others on the project. "I hope everyone can now see the importance of this project for the growth and livelihood of our community."
In total, the community will receive matching grant funding from the Urban Rivers Program for $149,375 and the Recreational Trails Program for $200,000. A federal review of the grants will be completed and then funds will be officially presented to the community.
Pearl Island is the 180 acre area between the Sugar River and along Mill Race. It will connect the community to the river with trails, portage areas, boat landings, boardwalk pathways and allow for natural recreational activities, such as: biking, walking, hiking, wildlife viewing and snow shoeing. Creating access to many natural areas, as well as, the downtown and nearby campground, will provide attractions for visitors and local residents alike.
Some of the project highlights include the construction of a covered pedestrian/bicycle bridge connecting the Mill Race trail to downtown Brodhead at Putnam Park and improvements to the look-out facilities at Decatur Park, also known as Boy Scout Park.
"We have been working on this project for over four years. It's rewarding to have our hard work pay off for this community and Green County," said Ric Genthe, who spearheaded the project. "The Sugar River is our best asset and we have not been utilizing it to the benefit of our community. This project will put the river in the spotlight where it belongs."
"It was pretty exciting to open that letter," said Rich Vogel of the Brodhead Public Works Dept., who has been working with Genthe and others on the project. "I hope everyone can now see the importance of this project for the growth and livelihood of our community."