Title
Proclamation in Recognition of the Clinton River Trail's 15th Anniversary
Body
Whereas, in 1998 the Grand Trunk Railroad, a branch of the Canadian National Railroad, sought to abandon and sell off a segment of their rail line passing through Rochester Hills; and
Whereas, the City of Rochester Hills recognized the potential for the abandoned rail line to be repurposed as a multi-use recreational trail and therefore allocated local funding and pursued grants to be able to acquire 4.6 miles of the abandoned rail line within the City limits in 2002; and
Whereas, the City of Rochester Hills, in response to citizen input, did further recognize the benefit of having a multi-use recreational trail that extended beyond its own borders and therefore encouraged other communities to acquire and develop their respective portions of the abandoned rail line; and
Whereas, the City of Rochester Hills did work with the communities of Sylvan Lake, Pontiac, Auburn Hills and Rochester to create, and in 2003, jointly adopted a master plan for a five city multi-use recreational trail to be known as the Clinton River Trail; and
Whereas, the jointly developed master plan led to an agreed upon unique Clinton River Trail logo and later the distinctive “look and feel” branding and signage plan; and
Whereas, in February and March 2004 representatives of all five cities signed a Memorandum of Understanding with each community agreeing to cooperatively operate their respective segment of abandoned rail line known officially as the Clinton River Trail.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that I, Bryan K. Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills, along with the City Council of Rochester Hills, do hereby proclaim 2019 be recognized as the year of the 15th Anniversary of the Clinton River Trail.
Be It Further Resolved, that we applaud the dedication, hard work and ongoing efforts of City staff, community volunteers and all entities responsible for implementing the original vision of the Clinton River Trail master plan.