Reps. Gieleghem, Accavitti, Bieda, Condino, Farrah, Gillard, Jamnick, Lipsey, Sheltrown, Spade, Vagnozzi, Wojno, Brandenburg, Byrum, DeRossett, Ehardt, Hopgood, Kooiman, Law, Minore, O'Neil, Richardville, Sak, Taub, Voorhees, Zelenko, Garfield, Plakas, Stallworth, Acciavatti, Adamini, Anderson, Brown, Daniels, Dennis, Elkins, Emmons, Gleason, Hardman, Murphy, Shulman, Stakoe, Stewart, Tobocman and Woodward offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 267.

            A resolution commemorating June 2004 as Michigan Trails and Greenways Month and June 12, 2004, as Michigan Trails and Greenways Day in Michigan. 

            Whereas, The Michigan Trails and Greenways System is a statewide system of protected open space corridors throughout Michigan’s communities and countryside, many featuring broad-surfaced trails perfect for varied recreational activities and accessible to everyone; and

            Whereas, Trails and Greenways preserve important natural landscapes and protect plant and animal species.  Many of these paths follow inactive railroad lines, natural shorelines, and other corridors.  Linking together whenever possible, the statewide network of trails and greenways will connect our communities, parks, public lands, and historic and natural resources; and

            Whereas, This statewide network, known as the Discover Michigan Trail System, encompasses over 2,000 miles of locally controlled trails, creating a web of activity that stretches from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, from the southern state line to the Mackinac Straits and across the Upper Peninsula; and

            Whereas, Nine regional initiatives of local governments across Michigan are collaborating across multiple jurisdictions to interconnect their individual trails into the statewide system; and

            Whereas, This system offers an unlimited potential for year-round recreation.  Often surrounded by attractive natural areas, they’re great places for the people of our communities to bicycle, walk, run, hike, ski, ride horses, and even snowmobile; and

            Whereas, As the trailway system expands and becomes well-known, Michigan’s reputation as a leader in great outdoor recreation will grow along with it.  Visitors drawn to our state by the system will benefit the entire state’s tourism economy.  It is appropriate to commemorate and designate June 2004 as Michigan’s Trails and Greenways Month; and

            Whereas, It is clear that many generations to come will enjoy the trails and greenways and make it part of their lives and the memories of their best times with family and friends; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate June 2004 as Michigan Trails and Greenways Month, and June 12, 2004, as Michigan Trails and Greenways Day in Michigan. We encourage all citizens to support the efforts of these trails and greenways resources in their communities.