Project at Hewen's Creek in Ypsilanti

[bill_m]

Before we can start building trails at the new MTB Park, we need to get a project out of the way.

The Ypsi Township board asked that we make sure the neighbors of the Park are informed of what we are doing. Pretty simple, but it is going to require some legwork. Ideally, we are going to knock on some doors, smile big, and explain what is happening. I'm sure we can make some phone calls too. So far, everyone has been very positive so I am guessing that it will be pretty easy. With enough people, we should be able to knock this out quickly.

We don't have a date yet, but it will happen in the next couple of weeks. Probably on a Saturday or Sunday. If you would like to help, send me an e-mail at billmayer@comcast.net and I will tell you more.

If we can get this done, we may be able to start building trails as soon as the ground thaws.

Bill

[bill_m]

The date for this project is Saturday, 2/26 at 2:00 PM.

The Plan is to meet at
Tree Fort Bikes ( www.treefortbikes.com ) which is very close to the park at
2:00 PM. I will give a briefing on the project along with some guidelines when
talking to the neighbors. If you aren't knowledgeable about the project yet
don't worry, this would be a great opportunity to get up to speed before we
start work this spring. The shop is open until 7:00 PM, so if you can't make
it at 2:00 feel free to stop by before 7:00, get a briefing, and do a couple of
houses for us!

Any help would be much appreciated!! Learn more about the new park, meet a few
new people, and share your enthusiasm with some people about our exciting new
park. I will even try and have some rewards lined up for your efforts.

Thanks in advance!

[ypsi_N8]

I'll be there with the Ypsi PR crew...
N8

[bill_m]

I would like to say Thank You very much to the TEN volunteers that came out on Saturday to help talk to the neighbors of Hewen's Creek Park. What would have taken one person all day (and maybe longer) was knocked out in an hour or two. Overall, it looks like we have the support of the neighorhood. No negative comments were reported to me and it appears that we have quite a few avid supporters of the new park.

Get ready for spring, because we have an awesome trail to build!!

Here is the text of the letter we distributed:

The Hewen’s Creek Park Project

Great News: The former farmland located at the corner of Bemis
and Hitchingham Road is becoming a new nature area / park.


Because you are a neighbor of Hewen’s Creek Park, the enclosed information is being provided to inform you of plans to create a multi-use recreational trail in the park and give you the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments on the project.

This project is fully supported by the Ypsilanti Township Park Commission and the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees, and will be entirely funded, constructed and maintained by volunteer support. The purpose of the trail is to provide the opportunity to experience a variety of types of recreation while preserving the natural area of the park. The trail will be constructed within the guidelines of being: 1) environmentally sensitive; 2) low maintenance; 3) a pleasant and interesting experience for the trail users; and 4) not in conflict with neighborhood values. The types of recreation that the trail will be designed to support include hiking/walking, running, nature study and bird watching, off-road bicycling, and cross-country skiing. Motorized vehicles such as ATV’s will not be allowed on the trail.

The trail itself will have a natural surface and be only about 3 feet wide. Bridges and boardwalks will be constructed to cross wet areas. Perennially wet areas will be avoided. No new parking areas are currently planned. The trail head will be located at the current parking lot on Bemis Road. The trail will be routed away from the park boundary near neighbors’ houses where possible. In the event that something, like wet soils for example, forces the trail near the park boundary a natural vegetation screen will be maintained. The trail will be created in stages (as described on the enclosed map), so you can get an idea of what the trails will be like before the entire project is completed. Construction of the first stage of this exciting project is scheduled to begin in early spring of 2005, weather permitting.

We hope the trail will enhance your status as neighbors of the Park by providing a nearby recreational opportunity and potentially reducing illegal or undesirable activities within the Park boundaries. We welcome your comments and questions and look forward to meeting you.



Hewen’s Creek Park Trail Committee



*For additional information, comments and suggestions, or to get involved please contact:

Art Serafinski, CPRP, CPSI, Director
Ypsilanti Township Recreation
2025 E. Clark Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
734-544-3807
aserafi@twp.ypsilanti.mi.us

Norm Roller
Citizen Volunteer
Project Leader
normroller@comcast.net

Thanks again guys!!

[semichbmx]

Glad that you had such a good event, Bill. I sent a note to Art in support of your efforts and to discuss the potential of a BMX track at Hewen's Creek. I'm sure I need to go through the same effort to build confidence in the Township Board. I would like to help with the trails. Do I contact Norm or you Bill?

[bill_m]

The land that is now Hewen's Creek Park was purchased with a grant. I believe it was stated in the grant that the land needs to be kept in a natural state. I am not the person to ask on this, Art really is the expert. We would love your help with the project, but anything beyond creating singletrack is above Norm's or my authority.

Send me an e-mail at billmayer@comcast.net and I will add you to the list.

[fatso]

Hey, when do we start cutting trail? I can't imagine the area being any dryer. I am officially offering to help, but after the mosquitoes hatch, all bets are off.

[bill_m]

Hewen’s Creek Trail Update

Just a brief note to update everyone on the status of trail development at the park. Several significant milestones have been achieved over the winter. Most importantly, both the Recreation Commission and the Township Board have endorsed the project. We have also assembled and distributed over 300 informational packets about the proposed trail to park neighbor’s and received only one comment expressing concern. This concern has since been resolved.

Over the course of the winter the park has been visited several times to assess the condition of the potential trail route during the various seasons. Based on these observations and comments from potential trail users, several adjustments have been made to the proposed route. The lowland woods and spruce-pine plantation in the southeast corner of the park has been one of the most challenging areas, but we should have a final route laid out by this weekend. We have also had a preliminary biological survey and other than the obvious wetlands and low-lying area, no areas or plants of special concern were identified. Where the trail passes close to property lines in sight of neighbors’ buildings we have measured the distances and taken ground photos for reference.

The activities that remain to be accomplished before we can start trail construction are: to provide the opportunity for Hewen’s Creek Trail Advisory Committee to walk through the park and personally inspect the proposed trail layout, make any changes the committee feels necessary, draw up a final map for this year’s work, and update the Recreation Commission and Township Board.

We hope to be able to begin trail construction by mid-May.

[pedalsticks]

Bill,
I live right across Hitchingham from Hewen' s and I would very much like to help. Any idea when construction will start?

[bill_m]

Send me an e-mail and I will put you on the HC list. Hopefully we can start building in mid-May.

Bill

[brickwall00]

Any word on how this project is doing?

[bill_m]

Please see Here