sun and news 4-24-21

The Sun and News, Saturday, April 24, 2021/ Page 5

Caledonia Twp. seeks grant to

expand Two Rivers Greenspace

Greg Chandler Staff Writer Caledonia Township and Kent County Parks are seek- ing a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant of $525,000 to buy addition- al land to expand the Two Rivers Greenspace in the southern portion of the township. The township board Wednesday voted unani- mously to pursue the grant, which would be used to acquire about 8 acres to add to the 285 acres already under public ownership on Whitneyville Avenue, between 100th and 108th streets, where the Thornapple and Coldwater rivers con- nect. The county and township began acquiring land for the greenspace in 2007 by pur- chasing 91 acres at the con- fluence of the Thornapple and Coldwater. “We’ve been acquiring property over time as it becomes available,” Kent County Parks Operations Supervisor Dan DeLooff said. The property has about 3.5 miles of frontage on the rivers and backwaters, roll- ing fields, upland marshes and forest edge environ- ments, according to the county parks website. If the grant is approved,

the township would contribute $150,000 in matching funds, with Kent County to contribute $75,000. “We have sufficient funds for this and can be relied upon to honor that contribu- tion promise,” Township Treasurer/Administrator Richard Robertson said. No specific plans have been put together for development of the property, although the county parks website identifies potential uses such as kayaking, river- front hiking, wildlife obser- vation and study of aquatic habitat. “Development will hap- pen as funding becomes available,” DeLooff said.

The Natural Resources Trust Fund in December 2020 recommended funding for land acquisition for two park properties in Caledonia Township – $744,100 toward acquisition of 31 acres for the Thornapple River Trail Landing on the west side of Alaska Avenue, south of the LaBarge Dam off 84th Street, and $469,700 toward acquiring 34 acres along the Thornapple River, off Alaska between 68th and 76th streets, for the Thornapple Riverbend Greenspace. The state legislature had to approve the trust fund recommendations as part of its appropriations process. The state House approved the

recommendations last month, and the Senate Wednesday voted 34-0 in favor of the recommendations. The township contributed $212,600 toward the Thornapple River Trail Landing acquisition and $134,200 toward the addition for the Thornapple Riverbend Greenspace. “It’s been a good partner- ship in the past. I think it’s a key piece in the doughnut hole of the property that has been acquired in the past,” Harrison said. “It would be a great access point to support- ing our vision of the river trail along the Thornapple.”

Dipps to

celebrate

50th wedding

anniversary Willliam III and Joanne Dipp, of Freeport, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, Friday, April 30. Bill and Joanne met at the United Brethren Church of Freeport through mutual friends, and were married at the United Methodist Church in Cale- donia in 1971. They were blessed with one child, Adam, and enjoyed 17 years with him until he passed away in 1999. Their many siblings, nieces and nephews have great memories of them and their continued involvement and support in their lives. They have been a blessing to so many. Through the good times and difficult times they have stuck it through. Fifty years is truly an accomplishment and praying the Lord blesses them with many more!

Sunday Services: 9:30 AM – Worship 11:00 AM – Sunday School 6:00 PM – Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM – Student Ministries Dr. Brian F. Harrison, Pastor

Our mission is to worship God and equip committed followers of Jesus Christ who will reach our community with the Gospel

7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 616-698- http://www.alaskabaptist.org

CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE

MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-

LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217- @thejchurch

ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS

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Worship Services: 10:00 AM

Pastor Tony Shumaker

Pastor Greg Cooper In Person Family Service 10 am • Come as you are! Online Facebook and You Tube 10:20 am http://www.brightside.org • 616-891- 8175 Broadmoor – Caledonia See our website for further information.

Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333

"Shining Forth God's Light"

Sunday Morning Worship ........................10:00 a.m. Community Group ..................................11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor http://www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org

Good Shepherd

Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Matins Service (Wednesday)....... 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship ................9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Church: (269) 795-

SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:00am and 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, MI / http://www.tvcweb.com

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sun and news 4-24-21

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