The Paint Creek Trailways Commission hosted a celebration with the theme ‘Experience your Outdoors? on June 3, honoring the trail’s recent designation as a National Recreation Trail.
The National Recreation Trails Program is jointly administered by the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, and the US Forest Service.
The 8.9-mile long Paint Creek Trail joins a network of more than 900 nationally-recognized trails, encompassing more than 10,000 miles. The trail will received a certificate of designation, as well as trail markers.
Congressman Joe Knollenberg was on hand to present the certificate to trailways commission members. Long-time trail supporters Lake Orion Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel and Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority Director Lois Golden were also among those recognized.
Orion Township Parks and Recreation Director Rock Blanchard said the National Recreation Trail designation goes to trails connecting communities, and that the Paint Creek Trail was developed in 1983 as Michigan’s first rail-to-trail, converted from an old railroad track.
In 2000 the Paint Creek Trail was designated a Millennium Legacy Trail, and Oakland County Commissioner Eric Wilson noted that awards such as that and the National Recreation Trail designation will help get funding for other trail projects, such as a recently completed $92,000 project which brought picnic sites, a water fountain and an observation deck to the trail.
‘The trail system enhances the quality of life, and that’s what it’s all about here,? he said. ‘We now have water, bathrooms and parking.?
Senator Mike Bishop sponsored a free lunch at the event, and noted that while the National Trail Days event might have been an idea he helped develop, it had grown far beyond anything the commission had ever dreamed about.
Knollenberg agreed, saying ‘Everyone in this area should be very proud of what’s taking place here.?
The day also included a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new observation deck at Foley Pond, located on the trail near Clarkston and Kern Roads, as well as activities for kids.