Keepers of the Shiawassee is spearheading the development of a new and improved paddling launch at the Hogan Road access to the Shiawassee River.
Location:
14347 Hogan Rd, Linden, MI 48451
Geographic Coordinates: 42.815569825001866, -83.80237500303633
Project Overview:
People have been accessing the river by the Hogan Rd bridge for many years. They have had to park on the road, carry their boats over a steep berm and drop their boats a couple of feet to get into the water. Our project to build a permanent launch will increase access to the river by creating a one way drive with entrance and exit, providing off road parking, create a gentle slope into the water and have benches and trash receptacles as amenities. We will involve community members as volunteers to help with the construction and planting of native plants.
We expect our launch will become part of community fundraising events such as the Paddle and Pedal put on by LAFF Pathways and Paddle for Paws sponsored each August by Wax Orthodontics. Our hope is to see a triathlon that includes biking, kayaking and running in the near future.
When completed those impacted will be paddlers, fishermen and hunters from all around our area. Since this is a State and National Water Trail we expect to draw in people from all over Michigan and possibly other states. This will increase tourism and recreational business opportunities to the area which will be a benefit to the communities along the river’s course. It will potentially affect real estate values, as in other communities with river access, property values increase with the rising desire to live in or near active river-trails communities.
Current Status:
Genessee County has replaced the old Hogan Rd bridge and completed much of the preliminary grade work. Keepers of the Shiawassee has contracted the engineering for the preliminary site plans with donations from members and the community and solicited grants and coordinating fund raising events to gather the funds necessary to proceed with the construction. With help from grantors and community donations we hope to make this a successful project in the near future.
What’s Next:
There are still some legal hurdles, permitting and contracting activities that need to be addressed before construction can begin. Hopefully we’ll see some actual work in Spring 2025.