Post Family Vision for Trail Goes Back Two Decades

By Bob Grese, Director, Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum

Providing safe walking and bicycle access to Matthaei Botanical Gardens has been a long-standing dream. Among the earliest advocates for that dream were long-time Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum supporters Norris and Helen Post.

 

While they were working with Washtenaw County Parks to build the Hoyt Post Trail at Parker Mill in the 1990s, Norris and Helen envisioned an extension of that trail to connect with Matthaei Botanical Gardens, linking both important community and University of Michigan properties. Washtenaw County Parks explored a variety of possibilities for the trail to Matthaei, including a utility corridor and route along Dixboro Road.  More recently, support by Radrick Farms Golf Course and the Adventure Leadership Center allowed the route used for what has become our new trail linking Parker Mill County Park at the south end with Matthaei Botanical Gardens at the north.

 

Post family members Jeffrey Post &Nancy Carstens.

I am especially grateful for the partnership with Norris and Helen whose early vision led towards the

development of this trail. The Post family’s legacy of support continues, thanks to Jeffrey Post, Nancy Post Carstens, and Garry Post, whose generous contributions helped make the trail their parents envisioned a reality. Nancy and Jeffrey have personally created the Post Family Legacy Fund to help support the ongoing care and maintenance of the trail, and also provide a home for future contributions to be made by friends, family, and all passionate lovers of this trail!

In addition to providing a safe walking and biking route, by increasing access to the gardens this trail also helps us achieve our goal of engaging a more diverse group of people with nature. I know that all of our staff at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are delighted to have the trail open and see so many enthusiastic users now reaching Matthaei Botanical Gardens on foot or via bicycles!