At Monday night’s Big Rapids City Commission meeting, commissioners approved an application that will be submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a trust fund grant. 

This submission, if accepted, will support Phase 1 of the Clay Cliffs Nature Area improvement project. Approximately $391,400 is being requested with the grant, in which the City of Big Rapids will match 30% of the funds to reach the project’s total of $559,200. 

The vote passed unanimously with all five votes.

Within the project, a new aggregate trail will be installed along the south side of Mitchell Creek. A new steel truss bridge will be built across the creek below the large, west side cliff. The north side of the trail will remain similar but will include new stone chip surfacing, additional interpretive signage, and multiple overlook “bumpout” areas with benches along the river. The beginning wood footbridge, which has been at the entrance for over 60 years, will also be replaced. 

 

^{An image of the improvement plan and elements for the Clay Cliffs Nature Area (Courtesy of the City of Big Rapids).}

A major emphasis within the trail development is to make the paths fully accessible. By making the trails wider, it will allow more people to hike together as well as give those in wheelchairs an opportunity to experience the nearly three-quarter mile long trail.

“We were close to being funded (last year),” Gifford said. “(The DNR) ranks all (the projects) with a number system, and we were on the cusp of being funded. Many times, projects have to apply two or three years to get funded. I think we can make some adjustments to make our application even more viable.”

In attempt to improve their “application score” from last year, the city has upped their match percentage from 28% last year, adding 2% and nearly $9,000 to their commitment value. They also added or adjusted a focus in more sustainable and accessible elements, including more interpretive elements on the trail’s signage. 

Fleis and VandenBrink is heading the architecture and engineering of the project.