Folks yearning to add a little art appreciation to their walk, run or ride on the Polly Ann Trail are in luck.

Last week, Trail Manager Linda Moran announced the trail has been selected to participate in the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Inside/Out program from Aug. 1 through Oct. 31.

“We will have between 15 and 17 pieces of art (placed along the 16.9-mile trail) from Joslyn Road in Orion Township all the way to Bordman Road (in Addison Township),” she said.

Moran made the announcement during last week’s meeting of the trail’s management council.

Now in its ninth year, the Inside/Out program is designed to expose people to a sample of the DIA’s vast collection by placing reproductions of priceless masterpieces in communities as part of “a grand, open-air gallery.” The idea is to inspire people to visit the museum in downtown Detroit to see the real thing.

This is the third time the Oxford area has been selected to participate in this program.

In 2011, seven paintings were placed at locations throughout Oxford, including two on the trail.

The program returned in 2016 with eight paintings positioned around Oxford, including one by the trail.

Moran stressed there’s “absolutely no cost” to the trail council for participation in this program.

“It doesn’t cost us anything to have the art installed,” she said. “It doesn’t cost us anything if it’s vandalized. And then (when the program’s done) they take it away and clean it up and it costs us nothing.”