A Letter from the Chairman

October 15, 2018
Dear Pathway Supporter,
We are closer to connecting our communities with a network of non-motorized pathways.  These pathways will afford everyone the opportunity to get outside and be active -walking, jogging, bicycling or strolling the baby along quietly.   Enjoying nature, wildlife and outdoor spaces are proven ways to reduce stress while improving health.  Additionally, these pathways bring in visitors who boost the economic development and stability of our communities.  Pathways provide non-motorized routes to work, school, the store or market or any one of our many beautiful lakes or parks.

We’ve made great progress since the LAFF Pathway organization’s inception in 2012.  Here are some of our recent achievements - thanks to your previous contribution(s): 

• The preliminary design engineering is complete on the Fenton-to-Linden Pathway paralleling Silver Lake Road. 

• Argentine Township raised just over $1 million through local, state and federal grants - placing the Argentine-to-Linden path just ahead of the construction timeline for the Fenton-to-Linden section.

• Through Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation (SLPR) & our local municipalities together we’ve raised the $108,000 needed to satisfy the local match dollars required for the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Grant application.  Note the financial benefit from working together.

1. LAFF Pathway’s contribution from donors like you:     $48,000
2. Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation’s contribution:        $15,000
3. City of Fenton’s contribution:                                            $15,000
4. City of Linden’s contribution:                                            $15,000
5. Fenton Township’s contribution:                                       $15,000
   

These dollars are being used to acquire an additional $732,000 in grant dollars.

The Fenton-to-Linden pathway is projected to cost $2.4 million, of which, due to matching grant opportunities, will require an estimated $750,000 to be funded locally.  This project can be realized by raising a combination of private and public dollars in 2018-19, completing the construction engineering in 2019 and pathway completion in 2020-21.

The LAFF Pathway network is the largest regional project of our time, and you can be part of it.  Please, make your tax-deductible donation right now to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint’s LAFF Pathway Fund. Go online to www.LAFFPathways.com and click on Donate to the LAFF Pathway link.  
Thank you for your generous gift which will have a lasting impact on enriching our communities forever.
My best,
Ron Stack
Chairman                                               “Let’s Put It on the Ground”