Macomb Orchard Trail News
Volume # 6/Issue # 1 Spring 2005
Published By: Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail

On May 22nd, at 10am, meet at the Onyx Ice Arena at Dequindre and 24 Mile rd.* for a Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail bicycle ride of the trail from Dequindre to 29 Mile (About 15 miles round trip). Everyone is welcome! You don't have to be a member. Nothing formal, no sign up or cost, just a chance to meet, ride and chat about the trail. If you haven't met our board of directors, this is your chance! After riding the Macomb Orchard Trail will be an optional ride along Clinton River Trail into Rochester, Bloomer Park and Paint Creek Trail.
 

Clinton River Trail Update

Dequindre isn't the end of the trail anymore. West of Dequindre in Oakland County, is the Clinton River Trail that is same abandoned railroad of the Macomb Orchard Trail. Rochester has repaired the two bridges and laid down fine limestone gravel on the trail. It's been rolled and the rainwater will turn the limestone into concrete (of a sort). It's now easily passable using a narrow tired road bike, and there's a connector to the Paint Creek Trail. It's the concrete sidewalk running parallel to the river about 2 miles after you cross Dequindre. It is a bit rutted in April but with some grading should be smooth again. So now you can get your Starbucks fix and visit the Paint Creek Trail! Now you can bike from Washington all the way to downtown Lake Orion on a rail trail. The trail ends west of Rochester Rd now because the bridge over Clinton River is out. But a new bridge is being built, so by Fall 2005 it should be possible to ride all the way to Auburn Hills. When the Macomb Orchard Trail is finished, you could ride from Richmond to Armada, Romeo, Washington, Shelby Twp, Rochester, Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, etc. all on rail-trails. http://www.clintonrivertrail.org
 

The Covered Bridge Project

Status Update: There have been several new developments since our last newsletter. Anthony Lombardo, of Lombardo Homes has agreed to volunteer his time, an architect and several carpenters who will direct the volunteers to insure that the bridge is built correctly. Robert Lipka, of Robert Lipka Architects works with Anthony and has volunteered his services as the architect. But, Anthony is still looking for a structural engineer to engineer the bridge, so if you know of one, please let us know (See adjacent article).
 

Structural Engineer Needed!

If you’re a structural engineer or know somebody who is, we need you! We’re looking for a structural engineer to work with Anthony Lombardo (of Lombardo Homes) on the Covered Bridge project. Anthony has volunteered his help, an architect and some of his carpenters to direct the volunteers, but he still needs a structural engineer to insure the design is safe. Remember, this “covered bridge” is really just two walls and a roof attached to an existing railroad trestle, which has already been certified as safe. Please note: This is an all volunteer effort, so we can’t pay you, but you’ll get the satisfaction of building something unique for the community.   

If you can help, please call Neil Kocsis at 586 786-6642 or E-Mail me at nkocsis@comcast.net
 

The trestles north of 29 Mile Rd, Clinton River east of Powell Rd, Coon Creek and East Coon Creek in Armada have signs at the road crossings “Bridge Closed Ahead”, there where barriers on the trestles with sign “BRIDGE CLOSED”. That was for safety and to keep motor vehicles off trail. But apparently 4-wheelers knocked those down. The MOT Commission paid Macomb County Road Commission $6000 to install those signs and barriers.
 

The Macomb County Sheriff division is patrolling the unpaved section of trail in Romeo, etc. on 4-wheeler ATV and airplane. They will also patrol the paved section with ATV along with mountain bike patrol.

Trailside - Dave Rumohr - Trustee

“Trailside” is a new single-family sub division adjoining the Macomb Orchard Trail.  These homes will start in $260K range.  “Rails-to-Trails” typically has a very positive effect on adjoining property values.

The real estate market is so aware of this that of the seven bulleted items on the “Trailside” flyer two are highlighting the Macomb Orchard Trail and Stony Creek Metro-Park.  Today’s buyers are also concerned with recreational opportunities in the area.  The same reason other developments will list golf courses, lake access, water front property, convenience to transportation, and school systems. The subdivision is adding a connector to the trail for residence convenience.  This becomes an extension of your own backyard for these residences.

Many of the apartments and condos along the Paint Creek Trail in Rochester include the proximately to their trail.  It is a positive sales factor for the real estate market. If you would like to see the new sub-division it is located off of Mound road and north of 26 Mile Rd. in Washington Twp. Sales office is next to Johnny Apple seed minigolf. They also have a website for an electronic tour.  www.palazzobrothers.com

 
More development near the trail

In Romeo near the trail on the west side between 32 Mile Rd and 31 Mile Rd, Lombardo construction could start building 340 condominiums, behind St. Clement church, this year. That subdivision would have trail access.
 

Trail update - Ted Gondert

The Macomb Orchard Trail is paved from 29 Mile Rd & Van Dyke to Dequindre Rd near 24 Mile Rd. That 7 miles of asphalt trail is quite busy now in the spring. On weekends in April you see many people riding bicycles, roller skating or walking on the trail along with their children or pushing strollers. So the trail is opportunity for exercise and recreation for many families in northern Macomb County. The pavement is in excellent condition and only a few spots have a few small stones on it from the shoulder.  Some sweeping will keep the trail clear. The Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority has contracted to maintain the trail, cut the grass along trail and sweep it. But volunteers could also sweep off gravel, pick up litter you see, etc. to keep our trail in excellent condition.

The paved section of Macomb Orchard trail has stores at corners for refreshments, etc. At 25 Mile Rd and Shelby Rd are shopping centers on three corners with Farmer Jack grocery store, Dairy Queen, Chinese restaurant, pizza, etc. and NE corner has Shelby Coney Island with food. At 26 Mile Rd and Mound is Johnny Apple seed that sells ice cream, soda pop, etc. and has miniature golf.  At 29 Mile Rd & Van Dyke is nice restaurant. Parking is available at small lot on West Road with additional parking at shopping centers near the trail, etc.

North of 29 Mile Rd the trail is not open or improved and is dirt. In theory it’s trespassing to be on it. But a few mountain bikers ride that section and hikers. There is party store at 29 Mile Rd and Van Dyke, NE corner and Verellen’s orchard is open selling fruit and beverages. At 30 Mile Rd the trail crosses east of shopping center on Van Dyke with Farmer Jack grocery store, Dollar Store, Radio Shack, etc. Near 31 Mile Rd are McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken, Buschemi’s pizza and sandwich, etc.  In Romeo near 32 Mile Rd & Van Dyke are several restaurants.

The Macomb Orchard Trail Commission is studying parking areas on the trail to find more. They also are trying to get engineering studies done for Phase 2 &3.

Construction on the 2^nd and 3^rd phases of the trail into Romeo, Armada and Richmond could start this year. Possible Richmond end would be built first since there is interest in city of Richmond for a few miles of paved trail. The rest of the trail would be crushed gravel.
 

Romeo might donate land next to trail and Clinton River

The Romeo Village Council proposed donating land behind the DPW on Powell Rd next to the trail and the North Branch of the Clinton River to the Macomb Orchard Trail. Romeo supports the trail but doesn’t want to pay $25,000 to join Trail Commission since village residents are represented by Washington Twp & Bruce Twp already. So that would be “double taxation”. There is old “brown field” industrial area near the trail and Powell Rd that could be redeveloped. They need drainage for surface water with pipe buried near trail to Clinton River. That is very scenic section with 150 foot long trestle across the river valley with farm pasture on north side and trees and brush along banks of river on south side. Romeo Observer November 24 2004 - http://www.romeoobserver.com/

Note: To ask questions or report concerns/problems about the Macomb Orchard Trail.
Call Macomb County Parks & Recreation: (586) 979-7010 ext 2