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Cass River Greenway continues to improve recreational choices

  Thanks to a faithful group of local people, the Cass River Greenway Committee is able to celebrate another successful year of activity and improvements to this 73-mile-long tributary.

  Greenway Committee Chairman Robert Zeilinger of Frankenmuth recently compiled a year in review, reflecting on the way the committee has been working to increase recreational use and improve the environmental well being of the Cass River.

  The mission and goals of the Greenway Committee are:

  Develop recreation opportunities on the Cass River and along its corridor;

  Encourage preservation of wildlife habitat and critical natural lands, and;

  Improve water quality of the Cass River.

  One of the hallmark moments of the year was the Cass River Water Trail being awarded a State Water Trail Designation.

  “This is a significant award that recognizes the efforts of the organization over the years to create a sustainable and highly-valued recreation destination in our state. We are now one of 11 water trails in the state to receive this honor,” Zeilinger said.

  The designation now draws more persons to the river for various activities, including the 14^th annual Paddle & Swim Relay, which was held Saturday, June 21, with kayakers, canoeists, and swimmers hitting the water at Vassar, the Village of Tuscola and Ormes Road and heading to Heritage Park. The event was well attended.

  A kayak safety training class was conducted at Caro’s Chippewa Landing Park on June 12, with this event funded by the Tuscola County Community Foundation.

  A first-ever Cass River Rough Fishing Derby was held in Sanilac County’s Evergreen Park, located upstream of Cass City on the south branch of the Cass, just off M-53.

  𠇎vergreen Park was recently renovated with additional camping sites, pavilions, playgrounds, and a universally-accessible kayak launch,” Zeilinger said.

  The event was held June 7, in conjunction with Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend, and designed as a family affair. The fishing derby was well attended, meaning this will become an annual event.

  Christmas Kayaks on the Cass continued, sponsored by the Frankenmuth Parks and Recreation Department, was held August 2. This event featured decorated, Christmas-themed lighted kayaks, with approximately 35 of these vessels hitting the water and paddling between the Heritage Park launch and the Holzbruecke.

  The Great Lakes Rendezvous, also an annual event, utilized Davis Park in Bridgeport August 15-17.

  The restoration of Lake Sturgeon in the Saginaw Bay watershed continues on an annual basis, sponsored by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This yearly release occurs on the Cass, Flint, Shiawassee and Tittabawassee rivers.

  𠇊pproximately 300 fish are released in August and September in each of the four rivers. St. Lorenz Lutheran School participates with one sturgeon for their annual Sturgeon in the Classroom program,” Zeilinger pointed out......

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