A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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I have written in the past about our green spaces and recreational venues in the Ville over time. These topics are not new to our burg. Henry Ford spent his honeymoon here in the 1880’s and enjoyed its river views so much he donated land to our City along the waterway. As a result, our walkable historical area was created on the riverbanks at the Mill Race Village grounds. Other treasured green space included a sports park in the late 1800’s, with a small golf course where the Northville Downs 49 acres are today.

Another open greenspace of the Ville where generational families of our community “recreated” has been Meadowbrook. Many of our founding fathers were instrumental in its beginnings as a gathering place. When it was formed in the early 1900’s, Northville was a bustling town surrounded by farmers’ meadows. And it was these farmers who originally brought their grain into the Village to be ground by machinery that used our rivers for power. The town was considered to be out in the country, with brooks running through it…thus, the name Meadowbrook Country Club. When it took shape in 1916, many local business folks including some of the Yerkes (descendants of one of the original pioneers in the area) were charter members of this Club.

Before we explore greenspaces in the community, let’s take a look at what’s going on today in the Ville.

Events
* Dancing in the Ville – Town Square, Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00 PM. Arthur Murray teachers provide lessons for a variety of dance genres (all levels).

* Summer Concerts every Friday & Saturday at 7:00 PM – Downtown

* Northville Garden Walk – 7/13 … Link ([link removed]) for information

* Mill Race Village – Open Summer Sundays (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) 215 Griswold St.

* Farmers Market – Take in Northville’s Award-Winning Market Thursdays (7/Sheldon)

* Check out the latest Spotlight Northville clips by clicking on: Link ([link removed])

* “Race to the Mill” Classic Car Show – Sat, 7/16: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, at the Mill Race Village (215 Griswold) ... Link ([link removed]) for information


Civic Initiatives in Northville
I’d like to thank the tireless work by our Task Forces, City Administration and Council members in preparing grants for our community, especially our Riverwalk Task Force Fundraising Team and dedicated donors to the Northville Community Support Fund. Here’s a sampling of some of the work.

Grants Awarded:
* $910K Michigan Special Appropriations (through Rep. Matt Koleszar) for Ford Field Barrier Free Gateway
* $40K SEMCOG planning grant (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments) for Non-motorized and Walkability Master Plan

Grants Pending
* $48K – Northville Historic District Guidelines Update through the State Historic Preservation Office
* $700K – Congressional Grant (through Rep. Haley Stevens) for Ford Field Serenity Point
* $910K – Congressional Grant (Sen. Peters) for Slope Stabilization for Ford Field
* $2.5M – American Rescue Plan Funds through Wayne County for daylighting the Rouge River that runs under the Northville Downs site
* Ford Field East “Junior Chamber Park” restoration – through the Northville Community Support Fund
* $1.9M Congressional Grant (Sen. Stabenow) – Randolph Consolidated Drain to repair failed sections of drain impacting High and Hutton Street and Ford Field.

Now let's look at yesteryear activities regarding Meadowbrook...

1916
* The Detroit Free Press wrote about a place called Meadowbrook Country Club when 23 original charter members mapped out 200 acres in the meadow-laced area adorned with brooks, located in the country area of Northville.
* The course started with 6 holes in 1916, then progressed to 9 and eventually increased to a full 18-hole golf course (1922).
* The Free Press wrote about the location as the perfect place for a golf course with its “natural beauty of contours, high rolling hills, dales and valleys with the River Rouge running through it.”

Topography
* We have spoken in the past how Northville is the headwaters area for 4 counties. The rivers themselves are the reason for our existence a full decade before Michigan became a State.
* The original “Mills” in the Michigan Territory were established in our community. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, hydraulic power from the rushing streams arose and enabled our community to become the #2 economic power in the State, just behind Detroit.
* Today, we are getting back to transforming the way we use our river systems through the creation of a Riverwalk pathway network, ultimately connecting the State’s integrated recreational walkways. Through the hard work of dozens of Northvillians, this generational dream is unfolding into reality and will be transformational for all in Southeastern Michigan.
* Think about it … when someone says they live downriver, it is downriver from Northville. We are the highest point and have the only natural lake in the county. Now we are setting plans in place for restoring the rivers in our locality, reducing stormwater flow and improving absorption along our riverbanks. All this will greatly benefit those in the downriver Detroit area.

Early Meadowbrook
* With all the wildlife in the area early on, original plans for Meadowbrook were to have a hunt club as well as golf, tennis and various outdoor sports. The Detroit Free Press wrote that Meadowbrook is one of the oldest Clubs in Michigan, and the beginnings of its organization date back to 1913.

Tournaments
* Many tournaments over the years have been hosted at Meadowbrook, including the Michigan Open, Motor City Open, the Michigan Amateur and other high-profile National PGA & LPGA Championships.
* World renowned golfers of yesteryear and today have gripped it and ripped it at the greenspaces of Meadowbrook. Golfers of note who have played here include Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret and Sam Snead.

Local Families’ Affiliations
* Some of the 23 Charter members were local business folks, including members of the Babbitt, Harmon, Schrader, and Yerkes Families, among others in the community.

ICONIC
* Meadowbrook remains an icon in the Northville Community and is part of our DNA and history.
* Over its first 100 years, the course and facilities historically avoided major renovations and additions, instead relying upon remodeling and recontouring to stay fresh. An extensive makeover of the course and upgrades to the facilities were completed in 2016, readying it for another century of hosting visitors.

As we have noted before, Northville was originally known as the “Hamlet in the Hills” or the “Switzerland of the County.” The topography of Meadowbrook exemplifies Northville’s natural beauty of hills, rivers, and green spaces. We are proud to be designated nationally as a “Tree City USA” with many national and state championship trees located here. Meadowbrook exemplifies this as well, with legendary trees in and around the hills and dales of the golf course.

Slow down next time you drive past Meadowbrook and reflect on its history, its importance to the community and the original Northville pioneers who wanted to share the area’s beauty. Even consider stopping to take a look at the rolling greenspace. I’m sure they would be happy to give you a tour of this iconic area. Or better yet, just text me a time, and I will meet you on the putting green of life.

Keep that Northville Greenspace Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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The Committee to Elect Brian Turnbull for Mayor . 361 Eaton Dr . Northville, MI 48167-1307 . USA

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