Ortonville seeks funding for Iron Belle Trail connector
Ortonville Village Manager David Trent stands in the area of the proposed Church Street trailhead. ANDREA PECK — THE OAKLAND PRESS
By Andrea Peck, [email protected] ,, @AndreaPeck24 on Twitter
Posted: 02/10/17, 2:55 PM EST | Updated: 2 weeks, 1 day ago
The village of Ortonville is moving forward with a plan to gain funding for a segment of the Iron Belle Trail.
Village Manager David Trent said village officials applied last month for a grant through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
“We’re looking to establish a new trailhead at the corner of Church Street, across from the post office,” Trent said.
The plan could include developing a shared roadway system in the village that would accommodate for bicycles on South Street and Mill Street.
The proposed trailhead would include a bike rack, signage and some benches.
The grant would contribute $35,000 to the project, with a $5,000 in-kind contribution from the village. The village will not know until October or November if they have received the grant.
“It’s the goal of the village council to make the village more walkable, and this is one avenue we’re proceeding with,” Trent said.
The Iron Belle Trail is a proposed statewide trail system with two routes, both extending from Belle Isle in Detroit to Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula.
The township is considering four possible routes for the trail and the village would serve as a small segment of the larger trail. Brandon, Groveland and Atlas Townships are part of the proposed route for the trail.