The City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services and the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC) are collaborating on a feasibility study for a pedestrian tunnel beneath the railroad tracks that would connect Barton Nature Area and Bandemer Park. The City and WCPARC hosted an initial public meeting to seek public feedback on the project and preliminary plans on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Forsythe Middle School. Comments will be shared with the City’s Parks Advisory Commission and the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. Public comment and feedback on this stage of the project will be open until March 12, 2019 and can be submitted using this form. If you have any questions, please email Peter Sanderson.
Project Description:
The project proposes to construct a non-motorized underpass of the MDOT Railroad between Bandemer Park and Huron River Drive. Doing so would provide a highly desired, connection and fill a critical gap on the Border-to-Border Trail while creating a safe and legal connection across the railroad. Depending on the outcome of the feasibility study, a second part of the project proposes that the Border-to-Border Trail be extended through Barton Nature Area as an accessible paved trail, while retaining the remaining non-paved trails with natural surfaces. Please see the public meeting presentation and project map for more information on the proposed project.