Brandon Twp.- Connect with members of your own community this week and learn how you can help link this community to others with a historic trail opportunity.
The Blackhawk Community Trail Committee will host a presentation on the proposed Iron Belle Trail at 7 p.m., May 13, at the Brandon Township Library, 304 South St.
Nancy Krupiarz from the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance will speak about the route that is also known as the Governor’s Showcase Trail. The trail actually has two routes, one for bicycling, and one for hiking, both of which have start or end points at Belle Isle (Detroit) and Ironwood (in the Upper Peninsula). The bicycling trail, which will be 774 miles from beginning to end, is slated to go through communities including Brandon, Groveland, and Atlas townships, as well as the Village of Ortonville. The hiking trail takes a route to the west and is 1,259 miles.
During the May 13 presentation, Krupiarz will offer background on the trail, the next steps to its development, trail benefits and the importance of community involvement.
‘Right now the state has issued grant opportunities for engineering, scoping out the trail and planning routes,? said Brandon Township Supervisor Kathy Thurman. ‘We have to obtain grants to help pay for it, or pay for it ourselves.?
The township is currently planning on applying for the 2015 Iron Belle Project proposal grantfrom the DNR, geared to trail segments that are prepared to go into the planning/engineering design phase this year. The township will request $14,800 for engineers to evaluate possible routes to connect with other participating communities. In Brandon Township, the trail will extend about 5 miles, entering the township on the old inner urban railroad line.
‘The majority of it is south of Granger Road,? Thurman explained. ‘It enters the township at Baldwin south of Granger and enters the village at Kent Road.?
The trail corridor in the township is owned by ITC, which has an easement for power lines. Part of the study that the township hopes to have paid for through the grant would analyze whether it would be better to stay on the corridor or near the corridor.
The Village of Ortonville will include one mile of trail. Thurman said the Groveland section of trail is about one mile as well, and in Atlas Township, there will be 7 miles of the Iron Belle Trail.
Once trails in this area are completed, they would link to existing trails such as the Polly Ann Trail and Paint Creek Trail. Going north, the trail will go through Grand Blanc, Davison, and Columbiaville.
The trail will be 10-feet wide to meet design standards and will be paved or limestone and used for runners and walkers as well as bicyclists.
The Blackhawk Community Trail Committee is in the formative stages and looking for members.
‘We’re having the meetings and informing people of the fun it will be,? said Dave Van Dis, Ortonville resident and committee member. ‘It is awesome meeting other people, bikers, walkers, runners? it’s a new recreational opportunity. It could be an economic benefit bringing residents of other communities into our community.?
For more information on the Iron Belle Trail, the Blackhawk Community Trail Committee, or the May 13 presentation, call Dave Van Dis at 248-627-2360.