Macomb Orchard Trail News
Volume # 5/Issue # 2 Spring 2004
Published By: Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail

Chairman’s column By: Dennis Tipsword

What a wonderful time to be appointed Chairman of the Friend’s of the Macomb Orchard Trail. I have had the pleasure of being involved from the very first meeting held at Freedom Hill. Many of us sat there with visions of what the abandoned railway would look like and how it would be used. Bikers, hikers and horseman all had a vision and a desire to see the new Rail to Trail conversion succeed! Many of us still remember some of the hurdles and negativity we had to face to get where we are today. Thankfully, we had the leadership and dedication of Lee Sorensen and his hard working board of directors to see us through. It is my desire to pick up where Lee left off.

Although construction of the trail is due to start soon, the friends group still has a lot of work ahead. Our direction to this point was to garner support for the project. Support was accomplished by attending various functions,

talking to people and answering the many concerns. We have succeeded in this endeavor, however we are far from done. This year our focus will take a slight detour. The bridge project that Neil started will be one of our biggest achievements and will be testimony to our dedication. I am looking forward to swinging a hammer with friends and neighbors and bringing the bridge to life.

I have been receiving email from people wishing to hike, bike and ride the trail. I must remind everyone that the trail is posted “NO TRESPASSING” and is not open to the public yet. Please do not use the trail until it has been opened. There will soon be construction equipment busy working the trail from Dequindre road heading east into Washington. Let’s not get in the way of progress by causing an unnecessary hazard of using the trail before its ready and safe.

State of the trail

The Macomb Orchard Trail construction has started from 29 Mile Road to Dequindre Rd south of 24 Mile Rd. in Washington Twp and Shelby Twp. Grading and rolling of that section has started. Plans are to have the trail paved with smooth asphalt from 29 Mile Rd to Dequindre by end of June. Some intersections will be re-aligned. At 26 Mile Rd and Mound the trail will parallel 26 Mile Rd west to Mound Rd then cross at the traffic light and follow the west side of Mound to rejoin trail. The existing diagonal crossing will be blocked off.

The Covered Bridge Project - Update By: Neil Kocsis

 Although it's been cold and we've had lots of snow on the ground, we haven't been hibernating. Well, not totally. You may have seen the excellent article on the Covered Bridge project which appeared in The Macomb Daily newspaper on Sunday, March 28th, 2004. Tom Watts, the Macomb Daily writer did a great job of presenting the trail and the bridge project to the community. The article included comments from Washington Township Supervisor Gary Kirsh, who supports the project. If you missed that article, perhaps you saw the article in The Romeo Observer on Wed, April 14th, 2004 by Michelle Tanguay. It was also excellent and she even got Gary Kirsh in the picture of the bridge.

In addition, Steve Lodge and three other architects from French Associates have volunteered their services to come up with a covered bridge design. Steve has already talked with Gary Kirsh about the project since it will be in Washington Township. Hopefully within a few short weeks we'll be looking at several bridge design concept sketches. And with a little luck, we'll be building it this Fall. To keep up to date on this project and everything else we're working on, visit our web site at: www.orchardtrail.org

History of trail and railroad By: Rich Platz

We are compiling a history of the trail from the time it was a railroad (Airline), to the trail that we shall soon see. If you know of or have information on the railroad, please contact Rich Platz at 586-727-4246 or email me at RBPlatz@Klondyke.net. Pictures, pamphlets or anything you might have pertaining to the railroad would be greatly appreciated. Send them to: Rich Platz 67873 Lake Angela Dr. Richmond, MI 48062.

National Trail Day celebration

Volunteers needed Trail Day celebration will be at Rochester Municipal Park on Saturday June 12 2004. The Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail will have a booth near the Paint Creek trail west of the Duck Pond.

Volunteers are needed to man the booth so we can promote the Macomb Orchard Trail. Please contact Dennis Tipsword so we can set up a schedule to man the Friends of MOT booth. We hope to have an opening celebration for the Macomb Orchard Trail after July 4th when construction of first section from Dequindre south of 24 Mile Rd to 29 Mile Rd is complete with new asphalt.

The MOT commission meets on the 4^th Tuesday of the month at Camp Rotary on 29 Mile Rd, at 10:00 AM. Same day and location as Friends of MOT meetings at 7:00 PM. But their next meetings will be June1 and June 29

The MOT commission has members from communities along trail and other entities. Shelby Township,

Friends membership meeting dates:

Meeting dates on 4th Tuesday of month at Camp Rotary Activities Building

The meetings of the Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail are at 20505 29 Mile Road at 7:00 PM. on the fourth Tuesday of the month. (east of Wolcott Rd.

Next meeting will be May 25 2004. If you haven’t paid your dues for this year, please clip the membership form on the last page of this newsletter and send it in with your dues. Don’t miss out on what’s happening at this most exciting time yet for the trail. Note that we reduced our dues to $10 per household for this year – no limit on the number of persons. We hope to see more people at meetings now that work on the trail is progressing. Need volunteers to help with the trail cleanup, etc. and getting out information.