Equestrians who ride the Polly Ann Trail (PAT) in Addison Township will be pleased to learn they’re finally getting their very own side path this summer.
‘I’m very excited about it,? said township Trustee Ed Brakefield, who sits on the PAT Management Council. ‘It’s no longer a hope, it’s going to happen.?
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently informed township and trail representatives that it’s increasing the amount it designated for an aggregate-covered side path between Leonard and Gerst roads from $80,000 to $120,000.
‘We won’t have to do anything as far as construction or engineering is concerned,? Brakefield said. ‘So basically, all of the expenses are going to be on the DNR’s shoulders.?
Equestrians have long desired a side path to run alongside that one-mile stretch of trail because it currently has an asphalt surface that isn’t safe for horses or their riders.
Brakefield explained that asphalt doesn’t mix well with the metal shoes horses wear on their hooves.
‘Metal on asphalt is extremely slippery and very dangerous,? he said. ‘They slide very, very easily.?
Dr. Charles Becker, an Oxford veterinarian who’s specialized in treating horses since 1964, said he told trail officials long before the asphalt was first laid that he ‘thought that was a big mistake because horses could lose their footing and someone could get hurt.?
‘For horses to ride on asphalt, they need to have special sharp shoes (with spikes) on them and that rips up asphalt,? he noted. ‘In the middle of the summertime, when that asphalt’s hot, you’ll rip it up good.?
Becker agreed aggregate is the best trail surface for horses to ride on.
‘That’s the thing to do,? he said
The DNR agreed it was a dangerous situation, so it decided to install a side path for equestrians.
‘It looks like early this summer they’re going to start the construction,? said Brakefield, who noted things like engineering and sending the project out for bids will be done between now and April.
The DNR’s planning to use this side path as a ‘test trail? for future equestrian trails.
‘They’re going to be trying different aggregates on it to see what would be best for the horses,? Brakefield explained. ‘There’s going to be different sections with different types of trail (surface) and they’re going to ask the equestrians to choose which one they like best. When they come to that conclusion, they’ll use that as the basis for all equestrian trails throughout the state.?
When asked why the DNR’s conducting such a test when local equestrians seem to be pretty satisfied with the Polly Ann Trail’s existing aggregate surface, Brakefield replied, ‘You’re about the fifth one that’s asked that.?
‘I thought it was fine for the horses, but they wanted to use it as a test trail and they’re paying the expense, so let the DNR do what they want to do,? he said. ‘It will probably end up being that 3/8 (inch) aggregate, which is what we’ve got on the rest of the trail. It works fine for the horses.?