Last Friday’s ground-breaking ceremony in Orion Township was an historic day for members of the Polly Ann Trailway Management Council and the communities of Oxford, Addison and Orion.
Addison Twp. Supervisor Bob Koski, Oxford Village Manager Joe Young and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, among others, attended the ground-breaking to kick-off construction of the new trail.
Polly Ann Trail project manager Larry Obrecht said all contracts have been awarded and the materials are orderd. He said construction could start in one to two weeks.
‘As you know, we have 12.2. miles of trail and the 12.2 miles of trail will be compacted limestone,? he said. The trail begins at Bordman Road in Addison and extends south through Oxford to Indianwood Road in Orion.
Two small sections in the villages of Oxford and Leonard will be paved with asphalt for those who may wish to rollerblade.
An 850-foot pedestrian bridge connecting the trail over M-24 in Oxford Village will also be constructed.
‘We are good to go,? Obrecht said.
Patterson attended the ceremony because he wanted to recognize the hard work of the Polly Ann Trail council.
‘Trails are becominng very much a part of the recreation in Oakland County,? he said. ‘One of these days, you’ll be able to go from South Lyon to Port Huron on the network of trails that is being developed.?
Patterson said the labor force for the construction is coming from offenders from Oakland County who ‘don’t belong in jail.? He said they will be ‘repaying their debt to society? through this corrections program.
‘I think it is a great day for our community and I’m glad to be here with you,? Patterson said.
Obrecht also thanked Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President of Daimler-Chrysler and President of the Chrysler Foundation, for his ‘taking a risk? and donating $250,000 for the trail.
Koski and Eugene Mallia, chairman of the Polly Ann Trailway Management Council, were also recognized by Obrecht for being with the trail program since it’s inception.
‘They have both sat on the Polly Ann Trail as chair and vice chair for the last ten years,? Obrecht said.