36-625: The Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail is a partially constructed non-motorized trail system in Washtenaw County, Michigan . The system is planned to cover approximately 55 miles (89 km) across Washtenaw County, along the Huron River . Planning for the B2B began in 1984, as the Huron River Greenway, a 35-mile (56 km) project headed by Washtenaw County. Since its inception, and its renaming to
72-477: A Democratic stronghold in local and national elections due to the presence of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan . In the 2020 United States presidential election it gave 72.4% of the vote to Democratic nominee Joe Biden , the highest margin for a Democrat in the county, the third-highest for any candidate in the county's history, and the highest in the state at the time as well. Between 1960 and 1988 it
108-840: A 29-mile (47 km) loop in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Additional plans for trail construction in Washtenaw County include extensions south to the existing trail systems in Manchester , Saline , and Pittsfield Township . The Chelsea branch of the B2B originates in Dexter Township , near the Livingston County line in the northwest corner of the county. The trail follows M-52 south to Chelsea city limits, deviating through Timbertown Park. The B2B uses city streets through Chelsea, and heads due east, paralleling Dexter-Chelsea Road and
144-526: A 35-mile (56 km) trail from Hudson Mills Metropark to Ford Lake . From its inception, the B2B was planned to utilize existing parks and rights-of-way adjacent to the Huron River. In addition to the existing infrastructure, Washtenaw County secured $ 10 million of funding to construct connections between existing pieces of infrastructure. With the cost of trail construction for even the initial plans far exceeding that sum, construction proceeded slowly, with
180-477: A training bicycle ride. McKeachie's death led to renewed advocacy for additional bicycle safety measures in the county, and a portion of the newly-constructed B2B trail near Dexter is named in McKeachie's memory. The total cost of constructing the trail was estimated at $ 30 million in 2019, with additional fundraising still under way to fund the entire project. The most difficult portion of trail construction will be
216-406: A water sprinkler area, one has a substantial water park component, and there is one golf course. The recreation center has a swimming pool, indoor track, basketball courts, complete set of resistance machines , a weight room, and several multipurpose rooms. Washtenaw County is in the process of acquiring land for natural preservation. The program started in 2001, was renewed in 2010. The millage
252-572: Is Ann Arbor . The county was authorized by legislation in 1822 and organized as a county in 1826. Washtenaw County comprises the Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area . The county is home to the University of Michigan , Eastern Michigan University , Washtenaw Community College , and Concordia University Ann Arbor . The first peoples occupying the central portion of what is now Michigan included: "the Pottawattamies,
288-528: Is currently available to approximately 50% of county residents. This is the Wireless Washtenaw Project; its stated aim of this project is to provide wireless access to all county residents. The county government operates the jail , maintains rural roads (through a largely independent road commission), operates the major local courts, records deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records , administers public health regulations, and participates with
324-589: Is land and 16 square miles (41 km ) (2.3%) is water. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 372,258 people living in the county. 69.2% were White , 11.5% Black or African American , 9.03% Asian , 0.3% Native American , 1.9% of some other race and 7.8% of two or more races . 5% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 17.4% were of German , 10.5% English , 10% Irish and 7.1% Polish ancestry. 83.4% spoke only English at home; 3.7% spoke Spanish and 12.9% spoke another language. There were 149,379 households, out of which 17.9% had children under
360-680: Is proposed to cross under the Michigan Line tracks in a tunnel to Bandemer Nature Area. From Bandemer east, the trail utilizes city park land along the river, and runs close to the University of Michigan Hospital and the Ann Arbor VA Hospital . Near the VA Hospital, the trail enters Gallup Park , and runs east to Geddes Dam at the Ann Arbor city limits. The B2B recrosses the Huron River twice at Geddes Dam and Dixboro Road, passing through
396-489: Is required for entry to the park. The park will eventually be linked to Dexter-Huron Metropark and Hudson Mills Metropark via the Border-to-Border Trail . In 1835, there was a sawmill located on the Huron River at this site. That year, Norman Gooddale purchased the mill for $ 50 and added a flour mill to the site. Jacob Doremus platted a village adjacent to the mill in 1836 named Michigan Village , although
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#1733111775708432-654: The Michigan Line railroad tracks to Dexter. The Hudson Mills branch of the B2B originates north of the Hudson Mills Metropark and proceeds south through the park, connecting to the Chelsea branch at Mill Creek Park in Dexter. From Dexter east to Ann Arbor, the B2B follows Huron River Drive in a general southeasterly direction, connecting to Delhi Metropark . The B2B enters Ann Arbor city limits near Barton Nature Area, and
468-522: The Wayne County line. A connection is planned into Van Buren Township , ultimately forming a part of the Iron Belle Trail towards Belle Isle . Washtenaw County, Michigan Washtenaw County ( / ˈ w ɔː ʃ t ə n ɔː / WAWSH -tə-naw ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan . At the 2020 census , the population was 372,258. The county seat and largest city
504-476: The B2B also includes segments built adjacent to rural roads, new and historic bridges, and segments on city streets. Planning for a non-motorized trail along the Huron River began in the 1980s, with a City of Ann Arbor study for a "Huron River Greenway." The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission took over the project in the late 1990s, and by 2001, the Border-to-Border Trail was envisioned as
540-549: The Border-to-Border trail in the 1990s, the project has expanded its scope and incorporated additional funding from public and private sources. When completed, the Border-to-Border Trail system will link Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Dexter, and Chelsea with off-street, non-motorized pathways for walking, bicycling, and other recreational activities. The Border-to-Border Trail connects to multiple existing parks, and incorporates their trail systems. In addition to its route through parks,
576-740: The Chippewas, the Ottawas, the Wyandottes and the Hurons". Native Americans whose territories included land within the Washtenaw County boundaries are shown to have included: Myaamia ( Miami ), Bodéwadmiké ( Potawatomi ), Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ , Peoria , Meškwahki·aša·hina ( Meskwaki ), and the Mississauga nation. In the Ojibwe language, "Wash-ten-ong" or "Owashtanong" literally translates as "far away waters", and
612-471: The Huron River, and later English then American settlers. The first successful settlement was established at the present site of Ypsilanti about 1809 by French traders. In 1822, the Legislative Council of Michigan Territory government defined the name and boundaries of the county, but attached it to Wayne County for revenue, taxation and judicial affairs. Four years after the first platting out of
648-519: The I-94 and US-23 intersection, and areas within Waterloo Recreation Area still appear as they did to early settlers. As productive farms became established, the local deer herds grew. In the 1820s and 1830s, the events surrounding the independence of Greece from Turkey inspired construction of Greek Revival buildings, and the names of townships, towns, and children. The "frostbitten convention"
684-538: The Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University ) was established in Washtenaw's oldest settlement, Ypsilanti . It was elevated to collegiate status c. 1891 as Michigan State Normal College. The name was changed in 1956 to Eastern Michigan College, which was elevated to university status in 1959. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 722 square miles (1,870 km ), of which 706 square miles (1,830 km )
720-412: The age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 29.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. In the county, 23.77% of the population was under the age of 19, 12.71% was from 19 to 25, 25.74% from 25 to 44, 22.58% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.5 years. The median income for a household in
756-735: The campus of Washtenaw Community College . The trail follows the northern edge of the Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital campus, and heads due south to the athletic campus of Eastern Michigan University , at Ypsilanti city limits. At the George Gervin GameAbove Center , the trail turns due east and follows a utility right-of-way to the EMU main campus, and through the campus to a path parallel to North Huron River Drive. The B2B uses city streets to Depot Town , where it enters Frog Island and Riverside Parks, and passes through
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#1733111775708792-528: The capital from Detroit to a point further away from the Canadian border. After considering many existing communities, the delegates decided to build an entirely new capital city, which became Lansing . The University of Michigan , founded at Detroit in 1817, was moved to Ann Arbor in 1839 as a consolation for the city not being named the new state capital, as it had sought. The university subsequently became and remains Washtenaw County's largest employer. In 1849,
828-460: The county was $ 83,754 and the median income for a family was $ 116,562. 15.3% of people were under the poverty line. The Board of Commissioners has nine members, elected from single member districts, on a partisan ballot, in November of even-numbered years. The term is two years. Information as of October 2024. Washtenaw County operates 10 parks and one recreation center ( gymnasium ). One park has
864-485: The county, Washtenaw was established as a separate self-administered county by an act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature, in 1826. It was attached for administrative purposes to Wayne County until (before 1829) when county government was seated. Ingham and other counties were formed from portions of territorial Washtenaw County. Swamps were drained to lower the water table. The swamp northwest of
900-747: The county. The largest employers in Washtenaw County, as of July 2020, are: School districts include: Former school districts: 42°15′N 83°50′W / 42.25°N 83.84°W / 42.25; -83.84 Delhi Metropark Delhi Metropark is a park in the Huron-Clinton system of metro parks. It is an 81-acre (330,000 m ) park on the Huron River located five miles (8 km) northwest of Ann Arbor . It has picnic areas, two picnic shelters, swings and slides, river fishing, canoe rental and softball diamonds. A children's playground features an adventure playship, ride-on toys and swings. A Metropark daily or annual vehicle permit
936-458: The first new trail segment opening in 2001 in Ypsilanti. The scope and pace of the Border-to-Border Trail project increased in the mid-2010s, with the passage of a county roads millage that included dedicated funding for nonmotorized transportation projects. The state of Michigan recognized the B2B project as a component of the statewide Iron Belle Trail in 2015, bringing additional visibility to
972-551: The name was changed to Delhi shortly afterward. In 1842, Gooddale acquired all of the unsold lots. His son Frank expanded the mill, shipping flour to New England and employing 20 people; in 1880, Delhi Mills shipped 41,000 barrels of flour on the Michigan Central Railroad . In 1883, Delhi had 2 flour mills, a woolen mill and a saw mill, taking power from a dam 150 feet long with a 7-foot head and producing 140 horsepower when all mills run at once. Today's Delhi Rapids
1008-435: The project. The mid-2010s also brought additional private funding to the trail, with expansion plans for a segment from Dexter west to Chelsea. The Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative, a private foundation that began in Chelsea, raised money from businesses in Chelsea before partnering with the county to accelerate trail construction. In 2016, champion triathlete Karen McKeachie died in a collision on Dexter-Chelsea Road during
1044-499: The segment from Hudson Mills Metropark east to Bandemer Park, which closely follows the Huron River and Huron River Drive. As of June 2024, planning is underway for this segment, which will include a tunnel under the Michigan Line railroad tracks. The B2B is planned to extend northwards from its two branches in western Washtenaw County, connecting to the Lakelands Trail . The extensions, to Stockbridge and Pinckney , will form
1080-550: The southern edge of the Water Street site . The trail emerges from parkland at Grove Street, near the site of Woodruff's Grove, the first European settlement in Washtenaw County. East of Ypsilanti city limits, in Ypsilanti Charter Township , the B2B follows Grove Street along the north bank of Ford Lake , heading south into North Hydro Park at Ford Lake Dam . The trail terminates at Grove Road and Rawsonville Road, at
1116-413: The state in providing welfare and social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions – police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. – are the responsibility of individual cities and townships. Since 1988 , when Michael Dukakis won it, the county has been
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1152-460: Was generally a swing county: 1992 marked the first time that the county supported the same party as in the previous election since 1960. Despite its modern-day Democratic strength, it was reliably Republican at the presidential level from 1896 to 1960, only voting Democratic once in that span in 1912 when the Republican vote was split. It was one of the few counties where Franklin D. Roosevelt
1188-684: Was held at Ann Arbor, the county seat, in 1835. Statehood was delayed because Michigan claimed the Toledo Strip , which was also claimed by Ohio . Following resolution of the Toledo War (1835–1836), in which Michigan Territory ceded its claim to Toledo in exchange for most of the Upper Peninsula (from the Porcupine Mountains eastward), Ohio withdrew its objection and Michigan became a state on January 26, 1837. The convention also decided to move
1224-417: Was renewed a second time in 2020 with a record high of 72% of votes supporting the renewal. Eight parcels of land had been purchased by July 2007. These parcels are of special ecological, recreational, and educational benefits. They are preserved in a natural unimproved state and are open to the public during daylight hours. In partnership with private enterprise, the county maintains a wireless network which
1260-484: Was shut out in all four of his successful campaigns. George McGovern 's win over Richard Nixon in the county in 1972 despite the latter winning nationally by a landslide was a sign of the county's shift towards supporting the Democratic Party, though Michigander and former Wolverine Gerald R. Ford won it in 1976 and Ronald Reagan won it in 1984 amid his national landslide, being the most recent Republican to win
1296-661: Was then used by the Ojibwe as the name for the Grand River due to its great length. At the time of the official naming of the county in 1822, the headwaters of the Grand River fell within the original boundaries of Washtenaw County, which encompassed a much larger area than the present county. The earliest histories mention French trappers and traders conducting trade in the area at the Potawatomi Trail and Pontiac Trail crossings of
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