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Spoonville Trail winds through woodlands and over ravines near the Terre Verde Golf Course in Crockery Township. [Image courtesy Prien & Newhof]
Spoonville Trail Project wins 'Outstanding Civil Engineering' award
Michigan branch of American Society of Civil Engineers recognizes Ottawa County, project partners for engineering, public good achievements
The awards keep coming for the recently completed Spoonville Trail, a scenic recreational pathway located near Nunica in Crockery Township. Already recognized twice for excellence in management and administration with awards from the regional and statewide branches of the American Public Works Association (APWA), the County and its Spoonville project partners have been honored again with an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award. Presented by the Michigan branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), this award recognizes projects that contribute to the progress of civil engineering and the well-being of communities.
"Being honored three times for Spoonville speaks to the impact of this unique and important pathway."
Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact Director Paul Sachs
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"Spoonville Trail's unique design certainly embodies both those aspects," said Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact Director Paul Sachs, whose department spearheaded the Spoonville Trail Project on behalf of the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Department. "Being honored three times for Spoonville speaks to the impact of this unique and important pathway."
Named after the 19th-century village that once existed on the north bank of the Grand River in Crockery Township, this 4.2-mile non-motorized pathway safely guides cyclists and walkers to the Sgt. Henry E. Plant Memorial Grand River Bridge Non-Motorized Pathway, then continues along 120th Avenue, winds through forested hills and ravines adjacent to the Terre Verde Golf Course, and ends in Nunica. Scenic beauty aside, Spoonville Trail is also an important north-south connector in the County's growing non-motorized network of pathways because it provides cyclists, runners, and walkers access to two trail systems: the North Bank Trail in Spring Lake and the still-developing Idema Explorers Trail, which will run from Grand Haven to Grand Rapids.
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Representatives from Ottawa County, Prein & Newhof, and Anlaan Corp. accept the Michigan branch of American Society of Civil Engineer's Outstanding Civil Achievement Award during the Michigan Infrastructure Conference in Kalamazoo on May 12, 2022. [Image courtesy Prein & Newhof]
The Spoonville Trail Project was constructed in two phases by Ottawa County, project consultant Prein & Newhof, and contractor Anlaan Corp.
"Building Spoonville was quite an achievement," said Prein & Newhof Project Manager Scott Post. "We designed Phase II to run along the perimeter of Terre Verde, creating a more beautiful user experience," Post said. "To achieve this route, we knew we had to meet ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) regulations while at the same time building along deep ravines. We also had to prevent soil erosion, decide where to land the boardwalks, obtain easements from property owners, and obtain right-of- way permits from MDOT, because the design involved I-96, a federal highway."
Construction of Spoonville Trail was funded in part by MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP); the Meijer Foundation; Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund; Grand Haven Area Community Foundation; the West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition; and many other generous donors.
To read more about how Spoonville Trail was constructed, visit MiOttawa.org/DSI, click on 'Land Use', and navigate to the 'Spoonville Trail' section. To learn more about Ottawa County's expanding network of trails, visit miottawa.org/Parks/recreation.htm.
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