The Gallup Park Bridge project is an initiative that gives the community easier access to Gallup. On Monday, Sept. 23, the border-to-border trail was closed and on Tuesday, Sept. 24, the trail near the connection between Gallup Park and Furstenberg Nature Area was also closed. These closings were due to the concrete pouring of the Gallup Park bridge.
Though the closing of the bridge made getting to the parks behind it not as easily accessible, community members still have a positive outlook towards the new renovations.
“While it has been frustrating to not be able to drive and park adjacent to the ‘Nest park,’ as my kids call it, the bridge was in dire need of repair and not many patrons understand how to properly and respectfully approach a one lane bridge,” Ann Arbor resident Benjamin Badalamete said.
This project has been in action since August 2024 and is meant for easier vehicle and pedestrian accessibility. With many community members expressing their love for the rustic character of the old wooden bridge, designers for the new bridge wanted to preserve the nostalgic elements.
“One of the things we’re really excited about are the natural materials used on the bridge to help bestow a park-like feeling,” Hillary Hanzel, the Park Planer & Landscape Architect of the project said. “Even though the new bridge is made of concrete, similar to many roadway bridges, we used natural materials like cobblestone and wood as accents to make it feel more pedestrian-oriented and to help it fit within the existing character of the park.”
According to Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation website, “This project was selected by a community vote to receive $2.3m in federal Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The City of Ann Arbor was awarded $24.2 million in funds under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Additional funding is provided by the City of Ann Arbor Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage and the parks fund balance. It will create a single-vehicle lane and expand sidewalks on both sides.” All construction is done in favor of the community and based on input from them.
Excited for the bridge to finally be done, Ann Arbor first grader Matthew Badalamente said, “I can now go the shorter way and have a lot more time to play at the park!”
Read more at:
https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/administrative/Pages/Park-Planning.aspx
