JULY • INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL FIREWORKS RIVER RAISIN HERITAGE TRAIL Sterling MAP AND GUIDE • LOTUS TOUR OF MARSHES OF

AUGUST • MONROE COUNTY FAIR • RIVER RAISIN JAZZ FESTIVAL St. Mary’s Park, Downtown Monroe • DOWNTOWN MONROE FINE ART FAIR Downtown Monroe Events & Activities • MONROE COUNTY JAM AND RIVER RAISIN RIB-OFF THINGS TO DO Monroe County Fairgrounds JANUARY • RIVER RAISIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD SEPTEMBER COMMEMORATION • RIVER RAISIN LABOR DAY BBQ Downtown Monroe FEBRUARY • MONROE MAGAZINE ARTIST SHOWCASE OCTOBER IHM Motherhouse • CUSTER WEEK • MCLS BLACK HISTORY MONTH BLUES SERIES Downtown Monroe Various library branches and La-Z-Boy Center-Meyer • LANTERN TOURS Theater/MCCC Campus Navarre-Anderson Trading Post MAY NOVEMBER • RIVER RAISIN JAZZ SERIES (MAY-AUGUST) • WRITERS ON THE RIVER Downtown Monroe Restaurants Ellis Library and Reference Center JUNE • HOLIDAY KICKOFF WEEKEND • RIVER RAISIN FIFE AND DRUM MUSTER Downtown Monroe Loranger Square, Downtown Monroe • CONCERTS IN THE PARK (JUNE-AUGUST) St. Mary’s Park Partners

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EIGHT MILES OF WILDERNESS, RECREATION AND HISTORY AND RECREATION WILDERNESS, OF MILES EIGHT

to bring the stories alive. alive. stories the bring to

markers and monuments dot the route route the dot monuments and markers August. The festival is held at St. Mary’s Park, Park, Mary’s St. at held is festival The August. Park – unique to say the least. the say to unique – Park

in the Battle of Little Bighorn. Historical Historical Bighorn. Little of Battle the in

Michigan, and the “coolest” place to be in in be to place “coolest” the and , Park to the River Raisin Battlefield National National Battlefield Raisin River the to Park

hero who is best known for his demise demise his for known best is who hero

– the largest free festival in southeastern southeastern in festival free largest the –

Trail connecting the William C. Sterling State State Sterling C. William the connecting Trail

George Armstrong Custer, a Civil War War Civil a Custer, Armstrong George

Monroe hosts the River Raisin Jazz Festival Festival Jazz Raisin River the hosts Monroe

recently christened the River Raisin Heritage Heritage Raisin River the christened recently city is also the hometown of General General of hometown the also is city

Natural Resources, and community partners partners community and Resources, Natural bloodiest battles in the . The The 1812. of War the in battles bloodiest

the National Park Service. Park National the

right through the heart of one of the the of one of heart the through right charm. The city, the Michigan Department of of Department Michigan the city, The charm.

Battlefield’s designation as the newest unit of of unit newest the as designation Battlefield’s

third oldest City. The trail takes you you takes trail The City. oldest third

architecture are only part of Monroe’s unique unique Monroe’s of part only are architecture

has been recognized with the River Raisin Raisin River the with recognized been has

Founded in 1785, Monroe is Michigan’s Michigan’s is Monroe 1785, in Founded

neighborhoods, and an eclectic mix of of mix eclectic an and neighborhoods,

the War of 1812—the significance of which which of significance 1812—the of War the ENJOY OUR HISTORY OUR ENJOY

Quaint shops, restaurants and cafes, historic historic cafes, and restaurants shops, Quaint the site of one of the bloodiest battles of of battles bloodiest the of one of site the

recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. 100th its celebrated recently

original French habitants. Monroe was also also was Monroe habitants. French original

and an outstanding museum and library. library. and museum outstanding an and

A. Custer Equestrian Monument—which Monument—which Equestrian Custer A. illustrious history and strong ties to the area’s area’s the to ties strong and history illustrious

quaint shops, fashionable restaurants, restaurants, fashionable shops, quaint

the state of Michigan boasting a long and and long a boasting Michigan of state the a stone’s throw from the General George George General the from throw stone’s a

Monroe with destinations that include include that destinations with Monroe

Monroe is one of the oldest communities in in communities oldest the of one is Monroe on the banks of the historic River Raisin, just just Raisin, River historic the of banks the on short detours into walkable downtown downtown walkable into detours short

THINGS TO SEE TO THINGS neighborhoods. The route encourages encourages route The neighborhoods.

iconic buildings, and into historic historic into and buildings, iconic

Historic Downtown Historic

Raisin National Battlefield Park, past past Park, Battlefield National Raisin

The trail takes you through the River River the through you takes trail The

found along the trails for your convenience. your for trails the along found ENJOY THE SITES THE ENJOY

nationally significant buildings, monuments and important natural and ecological features. Parking areas and facilities can be be can facilities and areas Parking features. ecological and natural important and monuments buildings, significant nationally

safe and scenic routes to walk, run, cycle and in-line skate. The trail connects major historic sites, state and local parks, parks, local and state sites, historic major connects trail The skate. in-line and cycle run, walk, to routes scenic and safe

adventure. adventure.

to the River Raisin Heritage Trail System Trail Heritage Raisin River the to Welcome , where eight miles of paved hike-bike trails provide provide trails hike-bike paved of miles eight where ,

provides a scenic backdrop for any any for backdrop scenic a provides

is canoeable for much of its length and and length its of much for canoeable is

The trail parallels the River Raisin which which Raisin River the parallels trail The

fishing lagoons, and lakefront camping. camping. lakefront and lagoons, fishing

of beaches, boating, shore fishing and and fishing shore boating, beaches, of

on Lake Erie, includes over one mile mile one over includes Erie, Lake on

Sterling State Park, the only state park park state only the Park, State Sterling

ENJOY THE WATER THE ENJOY

Enjoy the Experience the Enjoy RIVER RAISIN HERITAGE TRAIL SYSTEM TRAIL HERITAGE RAISIN RIVER RIVER RAISIN HERITAGE TRAIL SYSTEM

MUNSON PARK YMCA TRAIL HEAD 11 TRAIL HEAD N. Custer Rd. Sidewalk 1.7 miles RIVER RAISIN MULTI- NATIONAL STERLING N. Custer STATE PARK SPORTS BATTLEFIELD Pathway TRAIL HEAD SISTERS, SERVANTS COMPLEX PARK ie Hwy. 12 1.4 miles OF THE IMMACULATE N. Dix (AUTO PERMIT HEART OF MARY TRAIL HEAD TRAIL HEAD REQUIRED) 13

S. Raisinville Rd. RIVER RAISIN W. Elm Ave. N. Monroe St. 14 MERCY MEMORIAL PAVED . 15 HEALTH SYSTEM ON-STREET, S. Custer Rd. 5 FT. WIDE 5 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. FOOT BRIDGE Sterling State SHOULDER .7 mile BIKE PATH Park Loop Total 4 8 2.7 miles N. Dixie Hwy Battlefi eld NAVARRE-ANDERSON W. Front St. mile TRADING POST 9 Section .23 0.6 miles The trading post is listed on the 1 mile E. Elm Ave. National Register of Historic 10 Riverwalk WINCHESTER Connection to Places as the oldest standing STREET 7 parking lot at DOWNTOWN BRIDGE residential wood structure and 0.5 miles State park is one of the very few remaining 10’ Wide MONROE .2 miles examples of French colonial log VETERANS construction in Michigan today. PARK 1 2 TRAIL HEAD WATER FILTRATION 6 S. Monroe St. PLANT Sidewalk ST. MARY’S (to E. Elm Ave) SURFACE KEY & LEGEND PARK 0.7 miles LAKE ERIE Wetlands SIDEWALK (ONE SIDE) TRAIL HEAD 4’ - 5’ Wide Trail SIDEWALK (BOTH SIDES) 1.1 miles ASPHALT PATH RAILROAD 3 RESTROOMS S. Dixie Hwy. E. Front St. FORD MARSH OPEN OPEN RIVER RAISIN HERITAGE APR.-NOV. ALL YEAR TRAIL WELCOME SIGN S. Telegraph Rd. 5 Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary MEMORIAL PLACE MONUMENT 6 Memorial Place/Kentucky Monument (WAR OF 1812) (War of 1812) 11 Navarre-Anderson Trading Post 7 Monroe County Historical Museum 12 Munson Park 1 River Raisin National Battlefi eld Park 8 St. Mary Catholic Church SAILING ON 13 St. Antoine Memorial Monument 2 Accessible Fishing Pier LAKE ERIE 14 Veterans Park 9 Custer Equestrian Monument 3 Ford Marsh/ River International Wildlife Refuge DETROIT EDISON 15 Monroe Family YMCA 10 Loranger Courthouse Square GENERATION PLANT 4 Wm. C.

RECREATION & FITNESS 1.4 MILES HISTORY & CULTURE 1.7 MILES BATTLEFIELD & WETLANDS 4.4 MILES

This section of the trail is the preeminent venue for local fi tness enthusiasts. It is not unusual to fi nd young mothers This section of the trail runs through an area containing some of Monroe’s This section of the trail, which is largely contained within Sterling State Park, is adjacent to the Ford Marsh with strollers, pet owners, couples, friends, joggers, and bikers sharing the trail year-round. The local YMCA is the oldest and most elegant homes. From early territorial governors to industrial unit of the International Wildlife Refuge, and is near to the River Raisin National Battlefi eld eastern anchor providing a point of departure to cultural and recreational amenities located on the west side of the leaders, Elm Avenue and its adjoining neighborhoods refl ect architectural Park, site of a signifi cant battle in the War of 1812. The trail provides visitors with an outstanding city. At the mid-point, Veterans Park salutes our military men and women who have served from WWI through the styles and periods ranging from the early 19th century through today. opportunity to step back in time and experience the marshes and wetlands that the early French settlers present. Veterans Park also offers the opportunity to fi sh along the River Raisin, enjoy a leisurely lunch outside, or The Custer Equestrian Monument and St. Mary Catholic Church are two fi rst explored, hunted, and called home. Views of Lake Erie and of the natural habitats of indigenous take a few moments to relax during a workout on the trail. Proceeding west from Veterans Park, the trail provides of the community’s most notable landmarks. Visitors can also fi nd shops, wildlife and waterfowl are accessible from the main path and side trails. Bicyclists can experience nature scenic views of the river and terminates in Monroe’s premier recreational facility, Munson Park. The park offers restaurants and cultural attractions, such as a Custer Exhibit at the Monroe on an extended ride and bird watchers can add unique species to their sighting list. skateboarding, soccer and ball fi elds, walking and nature trails, a sledding hill and much more. On-street bike lanes County Historical Museum and the War of 1812 Memorial Place. Downtown This section of the trail is an 8-10-foot wide asphalt path with several side trails and viewing decks. The continue to the 18th century Navarre-Anderson Trading Post. is easily accessible from Elm Avenue via Monroe and Macomb Streets. trail can be accessed from Sterling State Park, the River Raisin National Battlefi eld Park, or the City of This section of the trail is constructed of asphalt and averages 6 feet in width. The path goes under Telegraph Road City sidewalks make up a majority of this section of the trail and range in Monroe’s Multi-Sports Complex (on N. Dixie Highway west of the battlefi eld). and crosses to the north side of North Custer (W. Elm Avenue) as it nears Munson Park. A 5-foot-wide shoulder bike width from 4 – 6 feet. The Riverwalk, a 10-foot wide pathway running along From the parking area at the start of the Sterling State Park Loop, shortest route to the Wetlands Trail path now connects Munson Park to the Navarre-Anderson Trading Post. the river, is accessible from St. Mary’s Park (near the Custer monument) Head is 1.5 miles. and at the Macomb Street Bridge.