DELHI TWP. — Runners, bicyclists and outdoor enthusiasts are
discovering new ways to embrace the community, with the many new trails
sprouting up throughout Delhi Township.
Three such trails have been developed in Delhi Township over
the last decade. The first was the mile HYPHEN
HERE long Valhalla Trail, completed in 2006. This was followed by the 2.1
mile long Sycamore Trail in 2014.
The newest of the 3 recreational trails, the Ram Trail, will
cost $1.8 million and will stretch 1.5 miles along Holt Road, between Eifert
Road and Holt High School. The trail will connect downtown Holt to the western
section of Delhi Township, incorporating a number of schools, parks,
playgrounds and neighborhoods. HOW DO
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The Ram Trail, named in honor of Holt High School’s sports
teams, will serve as a safe route for many students to get to and from school. HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS? ATTRIBUTE!
“Currently, there is no other safe and available way for
walkers or bikers to get to or from our school complex,” said Parks and
Recreation Director Mark Jenks.
Delhi Community Development Director Tracy Miller, who has
worked with Delhi Township for over ten years, also has very real concerns
about the condition of sidewalks and trails near the school district.
“That whole trail was really prioritized because the kids
walk and ride their bikes down Holt Road to get out to the schools,” said
Miller. “I drive that way to and from work and I can’t tell you the number of
times I see some kid trying to get to football practice, walking down the side
of the road.”
Unlike other trails in the area, the Ram Trail is almost
exclusively built on easements that have been obtained from private property
owners. Because of this, benches and other land markers are not likely to be
erected along the trail. HOW DO YOU KNOW
THIS? ATTRIBUTE!
However, large trail flags will be put up on 2
township-owned properties along the trail, creating awareness for both citizens
and visitors of the area. HOW DO YOU
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A small, gravel parking lot is also expected to be
constructed just west of the Big 10 Party Store, at the corner of Holt Road and
Eifert Road. The lot will allow patrons easy access to the trail as well as
convenient parking for nearby events, like school functions and football games.
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All 3 trails have been funded, in part, by different grants allocated
by the State of Michigan and the Delhi Township general fund. These grants
cover 80 percent of construction costs, while the township is responsible for
the remaining 20 percent, as well as all engineering and design costs. HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS? ATTRIBUTE!
While the the Ram Trail is giving adults and children a
safer way to reach the high school complex, the overall installment of the
trails is attracting a massive amount of people to the area, said Delhi Township
Supervisor, C. J. Davis.
“I have never ever had a project where there wasn’t at least
one person that was unhappy about something…until these trail projects,” said
Miller. “People love them! You just don’t hear anything but positive stuff and
it’s really, really rewarding to work on them.”
Jordan Green, a former resident of Holt, agrees that the
trails are brining MISSPELLING: BRINGING
a lot of positive feedback to the community and enjoys their convenience.
“My parents live just in the neighborhood and I start
running from home and take a loop straight back,” said Green. “I definitely
think building more trails around here is a positive idea. It encourages people
to be more active and I like how interconnected the trails are.”
An increase in activity on the trails has been
overwhelmingly evident to walkers and joggers who frequent the area.
Justin Troisi, a Holt resident, walks on the Valhalla and
Sycamore trails 2 to 3 times a week with his dog. “The trails are definitely
more busy than they used to be, probably because they’ve connected the trails,”
said Troisi. “I see a lot more people out biking and running, and if people
don’t have to do it on the side of the road, I think they’ll get out a lot
more.”
Supporters of the trails will soon have even more to be
excited about. Last year, Ingham County passed a trail millage that is
seriously considering funding another trail that will connect the Hayhoe Trail,
in Mason, with the Sycamore Trail, in Holt. HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS? ATTRIBUTE!
“I think it will get funded, and it would be amazing to have
a trail that will go all the way from Mason to Holt,” said Miller.
SOURCE
SHEET
Tracy Miller, Delhi Township
Director of Community Development, 517- 694-8281, Tracymiller@delhitownship.com
C.J. Davis, Delhi Township
Supervisor, 517-694-2137, Cj.davis@delhitownship.com
Mark Jenks, Delhi Township
Director of Parks and Recreation, 517-694-1549
Jordan Green, Runner and Former
Holt Resident
Justin Troisi, Frequent Delhi
Trail Walker and Holt Resident
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS: A GOOD FOUNDATION HERE, BUT WE CAN USE A NEUTRAL
EXPERT LIKE AN URBAN PLANNING PROF WHO SPECIALIZES IN RECREATIONAL FACILITIES,
MAYBE A FEW MORE RESIDENTS WHO CAN COMMENT NOT ONLY ON WHETHER THEY LIKE THE
TRAIL BUT WHETHER IT’S WORTH THE COST, AND CERTAINLY PICS AND A LOCATOR MAP.
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