Ortonville- A proposed village trail has come to an abrupt end.
The village council voted 5-0 at their Aug. 13 meeting that they are not in favor of the concept of a trail on village property at this time. Councilmembers Bob Flath and Larry Hayden were absent.
The less-than-a-mile recreational trail was proposed last November by village resident Rick McAvinchey and Lois Robbins, both members of the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy. At that time, the council voiced interest and support for researching the trail, which would have been located on 40 acres of village property adjacent to the Crescent Hills subdivision. The property was deeded to the village by the developer of the subdivision, with the stipulation that the land be used as a park.
However, Council Trustee Kay Green said vocal opposition by the subdivision residents is what led to the demise of the trail.
‘The residents we heard from are not in favor of the trail,? Green said. ‘The Crescent Hill residents have been the most vocal and we represent all of the village residents. We did not hear from anyone in favor of the trail… In the concept of looking into what it would involve, it sounded fine until we heard many of the concerns the citizens had. They’re worried about who would keep it up, that there could be vandalism. You have to listen to your constituents.?
Green also said cost was a factor, as she heard there would be costs involved to the village. However, Robbins says that is not the case, and also noted the proponents of the trail never said they would withdraw if there was dissent.
Robbins noted she found many people who wanted the trail and had collected 40 signatures from both village residents and non-residents who were in favor of the concept. She stopped collecting names when she was instructed by council not to do anything further toward trail research.
‘We thought the trail would be a good thing for the village and the surrounding area and others thought so, too,? Robbins said. ‘It would have offered recreational opportunities to everyone, not just people in one neighborhood. It could have been helpful to buisinesses in the area. The DDA (Downtown Development Authority) fully supported it. I guess we didn’t speak loudly enough.?
The original trail concept proposed a path that would be about six-tenths of a mile, beginning at Mill Street, winding through upland cedar forest just west of the subdivision, then south through more upland cedar forest, crossing an area of cedar-tamarack swamp, continuing to upland oak forest, connecting to the old railroad bed, following north to H.T. Burt Elementary and continuing north to Church Street near the post office.
‘It’s a very nice forest with different habitat types and a trail through there would have been a very good way for people to get in that forest easier,? said McAvinchey. ‘Trails are a legitimate and common thing in public park lands everywhere. In places where the local governing officials support trail concepts, they are usually established. In this case, the local governing body supported the trail until they got opposition from some folks and then they didn’t. They only pay attention to the people who are against it, apparently.?