Grand Journey 08
1
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2010 A7 BY AARON OGG THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS EATON RAPIDS — As the Island City’s main thoroughfare gets a major facelift this summer, motorists might consider alternate means of transpor- tation. They could make better time if they stuck a canoe in the Grand River to run errands. “Right now, paddling around town is easier than driving,” said a laughing Kim Byerly, of Eaton Rapids’ parks and recreation department. The city’s downtown, largely powered by the Smithville Dam in neighboring Hamlin Township, is sur- rounded by the Grand and its Spring Brook tributary. A side trek down that arm, which divides the Upper and Middle Grand, reveals an interesting nugget for trivia junkies. A huge porch extends across Edge- water Apartments, a former textile mill. Some claim the structure de- thrones the 660-foot-long walkway touted as the world’s largest by the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Apartment complex owner Marilyn Stenberg said Edgewater’s porch mea- sures 715 feet. “We knew early on that our porch was longer than theirs, but we never wanted to be competitive about it,” she said. “My husband would say they have the longest wooden porch.” The Lansing bedroom community of roughly 5,000, founded in 1835, has plenty of other eye-catching features. Some are loved, such as the pictur- esque English Inn, former home of Oldsmobile auto baron Irving Reuter built in 1928. The city’s 2-acre Island Park, a former Civil War veteran en- campment accessible by an ornate stone bridge, is another jewel. Other community landmarks, par- ticularly the area’s two hydroelectric dams, conjure mixed feelings. Eaton Rapids hosts an annual Dam Festival that celebrates the locale’s roughly 12 current and former dam sites, some of which have been reduced to rubble. Eaton Rapids Township resident Russ Hicks, a restorer of antique boats and canoes and chairman of Michi- gan State University’s Quiet Water Symposium, calls the low-head dams “drowning machines.” He wants to see one or both removed to make way for a whitewater park. The Grand is “the best thing Eaton Rapids has going for it,” Hicks, 59, said. The city has done some “excellent work” in protecting the river, long neglected and seen as a transportation obstacle, Hicks said. Construction on a new wastewater treatment plant wrapped up about two years ago, and permeable parking lots with rock-garden catch basins continue to be installed. The Eaton Rapids Paddle Club, formed about a year ago, now boasts about 100 members and draws about 25 enthusiasts for trips each week, By- erly said. The interest is reminiscent of the early 1900s, when the city was home to several canoe liveries. “I just think the river and the pad- dling right now is at a real growth, and we’re trying to capitalize on that,” Byerly said. AROUND THE BEND: EATON RAPIDS FACT SHEET Eaton Rapids Fast fact: The city is the only one with that name in the world. Historical note: In the mid-19th century, the city was known for its mineral springs, which drew people seeking miracle cures. Science/nature facts: The Grand River and its Spring Brook tributary surround downtown. The river here has smallmouth bass and 15- to 20-pound carp. A small rapids at the foot of Island Park results from the Grand River mixing with Spring Brook waters that travel over a dam. PRESS PHOTOS/REX LARSEN Rivers run around it: Eaton Rapids has 14 bridges and an Island Park. ‘Island City’ Wants dams removed: Russ Hicks J ust a couple of hours of paddling down the top part of the Grand River showcases its different personalities — and the challenges it presents to visitors. The trip downstream from Michigan Center is full of fallen trees and impressive wildlife. But then the city of Jackson comes up, and the small river is tamed of its natural barriers as it flows through a sluice, presenting a narrow pathway through the first major city the Grand inhabits. It will get wild again as it makes its way toward even bigger cities. PADDLES IN THE WATER Setting out: David Ringlein and his daughter, Liz, 17, of Lansing, get help launching their kayaks Thursday to begin their expedition of the Grand River. At right, paddlers float down a wild stretch between Michigan Center and Jackson. PRESS PHOTOS/REX LARSEN Under way: Jim Seitz, of Jackson, glides through a highway bridge between Michigan Center and Jackson. Urban section: Jackson has added landscaping along the Grand River downtown, where the water runs through a sluice. Right, a cross marks the spot where the river once was covered by a concrete cap and several fatalities occurred. After 10-year- old Eddie Webb died in 1997, there was a public outcry, and the cap was removed. CONTINUED FROM A1 tion meeting, the expedition ran into its first obstacle and backup. A tree so low, or water so high, meant many had to resort to the mud to go around it. I was muddy to my knees. It wasn’t long after that that a great blue heron flew over the river. One paddler near the front of the group mentioned she saw two great blue herons, a green heron, wood ducks and a kingfisher. The first stop was in Jackson. Afternoon: Is that a chain saw I hear? Or is that thunder? The afternoon paddle from Jackson to Youth Haven Ranch outside Rives Junction was full of challenges. Leaving Jackson was interesting, as you go through a narrow concrete channel where there actually is some current. We went by the sanitation system, which city officials told us discharges water that is cleaner than the river. Outside Jackson, the challenges were many. The river dropped 3 feet in areas, exposing logs that blocked the way, necessitating kayakers who brought a small chain saw with them to stop and cut away a route, backing up the flotilla. Around 4 p.m., we started to hear a rumble of thunder and wind high in the trees. The leading part of the expedition at that point was paddling through floodplains with muddy slopes. There was nowhere to take shelter. When the storm hit, I pulled out my rain gear and tried to hunker down and stay as dry as I could, as did oth- ers. Then we moved on. In this part of the river, progress was slow. You earned every mile you traveled. I was reminded of expedition riv- ermaster Charlie Parmelee’s admo- nition before the event, calling the first part of the expedition “a lesson in toleration.” He was right. E-mail: [email protected] PRESS PHOTO/REX LARSEN On the bank: Jan Wanetick, of Southfield, takes a break in Jackson. RIVER FIRST STRETCH IS REMOTE AS WELL AS URBAN
-
Upload
meegan-holland -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
description
Urban section: Jackson has added landscaping along the Grand River downtown, where the water runs through a sluice. Right, a cross marks the spot where the river once was covered by a concrete cap and several fatalities occurred. After 10-year- old Eddie Webb died in 1997, there was a public outcry, and the cap was removed. Rivers run around it: Eaton Rapids has 14 bridges and an Island Park. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2010 A7 Wants dams removed: Russ Hicks BY AARON OGG CONTINUED FROM A1
Transcript of Grand Journey 08
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2010 A7
BY AARON OGG
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
EATON RAPIDS — As the Island City’s main thoroughfare gets a major facelift this summer, motorists might consider alternate means of transpor-tation. They could make better time if they stuck a canoe in the Grand River to run errands.
“Right now, paddling around town is easier than driving,” said a laughing Kim Byerly, of Eaton Rapids’ parks and recreation department.
The city’s downtown, largely powered by the Smithville Dam in neighboring Hamlin Township, is sur-rounded by the Grand and its Spring Brook tributary. A side trek down that arm, which divides the Upper and Middle Grand, reveals an interesting nugget for trivia junkies.
A huge porch extends across Edge-water Apartments, a former textile mill. Some claim the structure de-thrones the 660-foot-long walkway touted as the world’s largest by the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Apartment complex owner Marilyn Stenberg said Edgewater’s porch mea-sures 715 feet.
“We knew early on that our porch was longer than theirs, but we never wanted to be competitive about it,” she said. “My husband would say they have the longest wooden porch.”
The Lansing bedroom community of roughly 5,000, founded in 1835, has plenty of other eye-catching features. Some are loved, such as the pictur-esque English Inn, former home of Oldsmobile auto baron Irving Reuter built in 1928 . The city’s 2-acre Island Park, a former Civil War veteran en-campment accessible by an ornate stone bridge, is another jewel.
Other community landmarks, par-ticularly the area’s two hydroelectric dams, conjure mixed feelings. Eaton Rapids hosts an annual Dam Festival that celebrates the locale’s roughly 12 current and former dam sites, some of which have been reduced to rubble.
Eaton Rapids Township resident Russ Hicks, a restorer of antique boats and canoes and chairman of Michi-gan State University’s Quiet Water Symposium, calls the low-head dams “drowning machines.” He wants to see one or both removed to make way for a whitewater park .
The Grand is “ the best thing Eaton Rapids has going for it,” Hicks, 59, said.
The city has done some “excellent work” in protecting the river, long neglected and seen as a transportation obstacle, Hicks said.
Construction on a new wastewater treatment plant wrapped up about two years ago, and permeable parking lots with rock-garden catch basins continue to be installed .
The Eaton Rapids Paddle Club, formed about a year ago, now boasts about 100 members and draws about 25 enthusiasts for trips each week, By-erly said. The interest is reminiscent of the early 1900s, when the city was home to several canoe liveries.
“I just think the river and the pad-dling right now is at a real growth, and we’re trying to capitalize on that,” Byerly said.
AROUND THE BEND:EATON RAPIDS
FACT SHEET
Eaton Rapids
Fast fact: The city is the only one with that name in the world.Historical note: In the mid-19th century, the city was known for its mineral springs, which drew people seeking miracle cures.Science/nature facts:
The Grand River and its Spring Brook �tributary surround downtown. The river here has smallmouth bass �and 15- to 20-pound carp.A small rapids at the foot of Island �Park results from the Grand River mixing with Spring Brook waters that travel over a dam.
PRESS PHOTOS/REX LARSEN
Rivers run around it: Eaton Rapids has 14 bridges and an Island Park.
‘Island City’
Wants dams removed: Russ Hicks
J ust a couple of hours of paddling down the top part of the Grand River showcases its different personalities — and the challenges it presents to visitors. The trip downstream from Michigan
Center is full of fallen trees and impressive wildlife. But then the city of Jackson comes up, and the small
river is tamed of its natural barriers as it fl ows through a sluice, presenting a narrow pathway through the fi rst major city the Grand inhabits. It will get wild again as it makes its way toward even bigger cities.
PADDLES IN THE WATER
Setting out: David Ringlein and his daughter, Liz, 17, of Lansing, get help launching their kayaks
Thursday to begin their expedition of the Grand River. At right, paddlers float down a wild stretch
between Michigan Center and Jackson.
PRESS PHOTOS/REX LARSEN
Under way: Jim Seitz, of Jackson, glides through a highway bridge between Michigan Center and Jackson.
Urban section: Jackson has added landscaping along the Grand River downtown, where the water runs through a sluice. Right, a cross marks the spot where the river once was covered by a concrete cap and several fatalities occurred. After 10-year-old Eddie Webb died in 1997, there was a public outcry, and the cap was removed.
CONTINUED FROM A1
tion meeting, the expedition ran into its fi rst obstacle and backup. A tree so low, or water so high, meant many had to resort to the mud to go around it. I was muddy to my knees.
It wasn’t long after that that a great blue heron fl ew over the river. One paddler near the front of the group mentioned she saw two great blue herons, a green heron, wood ducks and a kingfi sher.
The fi rst stop was in Jackson.Afternoon: Is that a chain saw I
hear? Or is that thunder?The afternoon paddle from Jackson
to Youth Haven Ranch outside Rives Junction was full of challenges.
Leaving Jackson was interesting, as you go through a narrow concrete channel where there actually is some current. We went by the sanitation system, which city offi cials told us discharges water that is cleaner than the river.
Outside Jackson, the challenges were many. The river dropped 3 feet in areas, exposing logs that blocked the way, necessitating kayakers who brought a small chain saw with them to stop and cut away a route, backing up the fl otilla.
Around 4 p.m., we started to hear a rumble of thunder and wind high in the trees. The leading part of the expedition at that point was paddling
through floodplains with muddy slopes. There was nowhere to take shelter.
When the storm hit, I pulled out my rain gear and tried to hunker down and stay as dry as I could, as did oth-ers. Then we moved on.
In this part of the river, progress was slow. You earned every mile you traveled.
I was reminded of expedition riv-ermaster Charlie Parmelee’s admo-nition before the event, calling the fi rst part of the expedition “a lesson in toleration.”
He was right.
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS PHOTO/REX LARSEN
On the bank: Jan Wanetick, of Southfield, takes a break in Jackson.
RIVER FIRST STRETCH IS REMOTE AS WELL AS URBAN
