JULY • RIVER RAISIN INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL FIREWORKS RIVER RAISIN HERITAGE TRAIL Sterling State Park MAP AND GUIDE • LOTUS TOUR OF MARSHES OF LAKE ERIE 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 THINGS TO DO AND RIVER RAISIN RIB-OFF Monroe County Fairgrounds JANUARY • RIVER RAISIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD SEPTEMBER COMMEMORATION • RIVER RAISIN LABOR DAY BBQ FEBRUARY Downtown Monroe • 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 WWW.RRTRAIL.COM Designed by Monroe Publishing Company WWW.RRTRAIL.COM and made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation through generous support of the Coca-Cola Foundation 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 Michigan, 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 War of 1812. 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 CUSTER AIRPORT 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 WATER TRAIL HEAD 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 KENTUCKY 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/Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge DETROIT EDISON 15 Monroe Family YMCA 10 Loranger Courthouse Square GENERATION PLANT 4 Wm. C. Sterling State Park 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 Detroit River 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.