Monroe donates land for battlefield park, refuge

Monroe — Land in southeastern Michigan has been donated to the federal government for a battlefield park and wildlife refuge, officials announced Friday.

The Port of Monroe has transferred 33 acres to the National Park Service to help build the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, the city of Monroe said. Another 35 acres was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

The donations are part of Monroe’s master plan that promotes economic development, celebrates history, conserves natural resources and enhances outdoor recreation, those involved in the effort said.

“The community continues to support the transformation of this former industrial property to a tourism and recreational based economy,” Mayor Robert E. Clark said in a statement.

The National Park Service has worked since 2008 in public-private partnerships to build the battlefield park. The park is at the site of the Battle of the River Raisin in the War of 1812.

The 35-acre Port of Monroe Marsh Tract is west of the wildlife refuge’s 240-acre Ford Marsh Unit, near the River Raisin National Battlefield Park and near Sterling State Park. It wetlands, as well as some forest area and marshes.

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge includes nearly 6,000 acres along 48 miles of the lower Detroit River and western Lake Erie.