By David Fleet

Editor

Atlas Twp.– A 155-acre parcel on the north side of Hegel Road, about 800 feet east of Gale Road, may soon be part of the Genesee County Parks.

The property, owned by three brothers, was purchased about 40 years ago as a speculative land investment. The property was for sale; however, last year the family approached the township about purchasing the land for recreational use.

“It was nice that the family would consider the township for a park project, but realistically how would the township come up with the money to purchase the property and maintain it?” said Shirley-Kautman Jones, township supervisor. “So I contacted Amy McMillan, director of Genesee County Parks and Recreation to see if the they could possibility apply for a grant to purchase the property.”

The property, which incorporates an abandoned Detroit Urban Railroad rail bed as well as the Kearsley Creek, has frontage on the Atlas Mill Pond.

The property has a parcel owned by Consumers Energy running diagonally through the middle.

In October 2015, the property was assessed by the Six Rivers Land Conservancy to determine the possible use of the land that is a mix of wetlands, open space and woodland.

“It’s my understanding the land will not be a park; rather, kept in a natural state,” added Jones. “The location directly across from Goodrich schools is ideal for educational use such as science projects and trails for hiking.”

On April 1 the Genesee County Parks applied for a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

The NRTF was established exclusively for acquisition and development of public land, and funding comes from royalties on the sale and lease of state-owned mineral rights. When the NRTF was voted into the Michigan Constitution in 1984 it was to be used for conservation, resource protection, public outdoor recreation and to develop outdoor recreation facilities such as the Atlas Township property.

The grant will cover 75 percent of the cost of the parcel with the remaning 25 percent balance funded by Genesee County, said McMillan.

The sale price of the property was not disclosed.

“The property can be preserved in its natural state,” said McMillan. “There will be some great walking paths, scenic overlooks, a pavilion and parking area at the front along Hegel Road across from the school.

“In addition, due to the water features on the property we can develop some canoeing and kayaking opportunities from a livery,” she added. “There’s also shoreline for fishing and viewing wildlife. We are very optimistic the grant will be awarded.”

The Kearsley Creek has limited access points in Atlas and Brandon townships.

About 6,000 brown trout were released into the Kearsley Creek in mid-May at three sites including the Oakwood Road bridge, Kipp Road bridge, and east branch of the Kearsley Creek at Kent Road. About 1,800 Wild Rose Brown Trout, with an average size of about 7 inches from the Harrietta State Fish Hatchery located just west of Cadillac, will be planted at each site.

“Trout have been stocked in the Kearsley Creek since the 1980s,” said Joe Leonardi, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries technician. “By June or July the fish will be legal size to be kept.”

A decision from the trust fund is expected this fall on the property.

“There’s a lot of pressure for home development in the area,” added McMillan. “Genesee County has 11,000 acres of park land—we were not really looking for more, but large tracts of property do not come along too often. Also, this land is near the new Gale Road pathway, so it’s just a good fit.”