Brooksie Way funds Innovation Hills trail

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Brooksie Way, the foundation has elected to fund a $30,000 mini-grant application to name a section of the trail at Rochester Hills' Innovation Park as the "Brooksie Way" trail.

The 10th annual McLaren Brooksie Way Half Marathon was held on September 24, adjacent to the trail that winds along the Clinton River. The path highlights the natural beauty of the more than 113-acres of wetlands and woods at the park, formerly known as Riverbend Park.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson created the Brooksie Way minigrant program to use proceeds from the Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5K to promote healthy, active lifestyles for Oakland County residents in memory of his son, Brooks Stuart “Brooksie” Patterson, who died in a snowmobile accident in 2007.

"The Brooksie Way has always been one of our community's biggest events and this investment will allow us to provide additional recreational opportunities for thousands of people in the region," said Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett. "We're so honored that they have chosen us to help make this park the best place to walk, run or bike in the rgion."

Innovation Hills, located at W. Hamlin Road, includes more than 100 acres of undeveloped woodlands, wetlands and prairie habitat, as well as the largest outdoor classroom in the region.