Green Oaks Trails Message Board

Updated Webpage

fred_terrell — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 13:13:00 GMT

Actually, that should read "unupdate" webpage. Is anything being accomplished within the "Friends..." group? I would like very much to get involved, but don't see an avenue for it. Anyone have comments?

New Trail Proposal

jbibby — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 14:23:52 GMT

I am new to the green oaks trail initiative
so forgive my ignorance on some already
discussed alternatives. However, has the
natural river corridor along Huron River
joining Island Lake Rec Area and Huron Meadows
Metropark been considered? I will be attending the
meeting Tuesday night (Dec. 15th) to provide
Jim with a grad school project I have completed
studying the proposed corridor for a greenway
link.
Jason Bibby

Green Oak Trails update 11/04

jfackert — Wed, 17 Nov 2004 14:30:16 GMT

Green Oak Planning Commission and Township Board had a joint meeting a

couple

of weeks ago, and discussed the greenways plan presented by the Planning

Commission. Board members embraced the plan and the concept! They made some

comments and suggestions, and urged the PC to tune the plan up a bit and get

it back to the Board for approval ASAP. They also urged the PC to draft a

safety path ordinance that would require all new developments to include

safety paths on major roads they border and get that to them asap as well.

This is great news! All of our hard work is paving off.

Supervisor Mark StCharles commented on several [projects in teh township

that are already including paths in their plans.

!) 9 Mile Rd. between Rushton and South Lyon is being paved next summer. The

road width is tight around Nichwagh Lake and the wetlands between there and

South Lyon, but they are working to make the road wide enough to allow a

striped bike/walk lane on one side. There's the possibility of a board walk

along some tight areas.The South Lyon path comes out to the end of the

pavement at Dixboro Rd., so this will make a great connection from south

east Green Oak into South Lyon.

2) He will approach the Road Commission about the possibility of striping a

safety lane on Maltby Rd. from Rickett west to Hamburg Rd.

3) Maxie is planning to sell some property including the old rail right of

way, and the Township is in line to purchase the property that would allow

the of the rail trail west fro US-23 toward the Lakeland trail.

Some other developments may facilitate connection from there on west to the

Lakeland trail in Hamburg Twp.

4) Green Oak is working with Brighton Twp and the city of Brighton to

organize with the businesses along Grand River from US-23 eastward. The

Road Commission has funds to widen teh road to four lanes, but not to

improve

it otherwise, but the community is trying to organize to make other

improvements at teh same time, including a safety path, landscaping and

traffic calming features.

5) Quadrants has proposed a large commercial development on the east side of

lee and 23 across from the Costco. This will require a 9 million $

improvement of the bridge and intersections, including roundabouts on the

east and west sides and a new four lane bridge. Though I don't welcome the

development on the east side of 23, if the plan goes through it will include

a safety path over the freeway and a pedestrian path northward on the east

side of 23 through a new residential development and connecting to Grand

River.

The great news is that we have the Board thinking of accommodations for

non-motorized transportation in all of these projects.

Other news:

FOGOT is working on a trail database for southeast Livingston county. WE

have gotten a $4000 grant from teh Michigander through Rails to Trails to

develop this and to produce a new flier. We need people to work up trail

descriptions for all of the park and roadside trails in southeast Livingston

county. The goal is to have a database that describes and details trail

rides, walks, runs etc. so folks can find trips that fit their wishes.

Details like access, parking, bathrooms, difficulty, points of interest,

refreshment, etc. will be in a database form. Help us with this project!

Email me for a copy of the data outline, help develop it and fill out

outlines for your favorite trail routes.

fogot meeting minutes 4/24/04

jfackert — Tue, 04 May 2004 16:12:46 GMT

FRIENDS OF GREEN OAK TRAILS

MEETING MINUTES

MEETING DATE: April 27, 2004

MEETING ATTENDEES: Jim Fackert Larry Wolicki Terry Pihalja

PAST ISSUES

Kim Davis and Gary Childs joined efforts to developed a Logo Contest , which South Lyon Cycle is donating the rail trail development cause. Fliers have been sent to all the local High Schools.

NEW ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Kim Davis and Larry Wolicki will hold a meeting with the individuals from the North and South Lake Side South Estates plus individuals from the Pembroke and Greenock subdivisions with Nancy Krupiarz (Rails to Trails Conservancy-state coordinator). The purpose of this meeting is to give guidance on how the subdivisions could support the rail trail development effort.

Jim noted a Rail Trail Forum will be held on May 6th for Southeast Livingston County. The location will be at 820 East Grand River, Michigan State Extension Office, between Brighton and Howell. The meeting starts at 10:00 am. Call Jim Fackert if you are interested in going, 810-231-3471.

Jim noted a joint meeting would be held in the near future between the Green Oak Planning Commission and the Green Oak Township Board. This will be an important meeting for the rail trail development effort and will need a concentrated effort to have as many interested individuals attend as possible. The location and time will be given once known.

In an effort to have as many individuals as possible attend this meeting as possible. Jim Fackert will update and print new FOGOT fliers for distribution.

Terry Pihalja will develop a list of businesses that we need to inform about this joint meeting.

Kim Davis will develop a calling tree list for this effort also.

Terry will work on some fund raising efforts to start building up some $ for the projects on our list. Terry will develop a list of conbtacts with commercial interest in trails- running and bike shops sportin good stores etc.

ITEMS TO BE ADRESSED NEXT

At a later date an election will be held to choose the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer for the FOGOT organization.

We will fill out the 501C3 Application for Exemption as soon as the incorporation papers arrive..

Our next meeting will be at the old Green Oak Township hall on May 25, 2004 at 7 PM.

fogot meeting minutes 3/23/04

jfackert — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 05:55:15 GMT

FRIENDS OF GREEN OAK TRAILS

MEETING MINUTES

MEETING DATE: March 23, 2004

MEETING ATTENDEES:Jim Fackert Larry Wolicki Kim Davis Susan Stimson-Sugzda Eric Piehl Gary Childs Carl Slindee Mary Barhcowiak

PAST ISSUES

Jim Fackert was not able to see Mark St. Charles (Green Oak Township Supervisor) and will attempt to meet with him and gain his support for our effort.

We decided to hold off on completing the 501C Application for exception, due to obtain the state articles of incorporation first. Which was sent in 2-24-04.

It was decided not to elect officers until a later date.

Kim Davis was not able to speak to representatives from Lake Side Estates North Homeowners Association and the Pembroke Homeowners Association.

Gary Childs did not get to see Rod Cook (South Lyon City Manager) but will attempt to see him this month. Gary did speak with Lloyd Collins (SL Chief of Police) about safety and or nuance issues with adjacent homeowners in reference to the existing South Lyon rail trail. Lloyd mentioned that there have been no complaints from homeowners regarding the SL trail. He also mentioned that the trail is monitored twice a day during the summer months.

NEW ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Kim Davis and Larry Wolicki will hold a meeting with the individuals from the North and South Lake Side South Estates plus individuals from the Pembroke and Greenock subdivisions with Nancy Krupiarz (Rails to Trails Conservancy-state coordinator). The purpose of this meeting is to give guidance on how the subdivisions could support the rail trail development effort.

Jim Fackert exhibited a plan that the Green Oak Planning Commission recently developed. The plan expresses support for the Rail Trail development through Green Oak township in addition to other items.

Jim noted a joint meeting would be held on May 6th between the Green Oak Planning Commission and the Green Oak Township Board. This will be an important meeting for the rail trail development effort and will need a concentrated effort to have as many interested individuals attend as possible. The location and time will be given once known.

Jim also suggested we focus our efforts during the spring period gain interest in our effort. This may include several events that create interest in the in the rail trail development effort.

Kim Davis and Gary Childs will join efforts to develop a raffle for the bikes donated by South Lyon Cycle.

ITEMS TO BE ADRESSED NEXT

At a later date an election will be held to choose the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer for the FOGOT organization.

We will fill out the 501C3 Application for Exemption.

Our next meeting will be at the old Green Oak Township hall on April 22, 2004 at 7 PM.

Good day and see you out on the local trails!

FOGOT meeting minutes 10/28/03

jfackert — Tue, 09 Mar 2004 18:01:15 GMT

FRIENDS OF GREEN OAK TRAILS

MEETING MINUTES

MEETING DATE: October 28, 2003

Larry Wolicki

Those present:

Jim Fackert* Kim Davis* Larry Wolicki* Karen Backus* Terry Pihalja*

Richard Isgrig John Malek Diane Krol

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Last months work has resulted in the potential rail trail route making use of the old abandoned rail trail line and developing alternate routes if required. Possibly along 9 mile or 8 mile. Jim Fackart and Larry Wolicki had walked the proposed rail trail route from Dixburo to nine mile and noted there are no structures built on the trail. However there are a few brush piles on it, and in the Grenoch Hills area someone has uses part of the old rail trail as a driveway. The regions surrounding the rail trail are very nice with ponds, streams and wetlands just adjacent to the trail.

Kim Davis has produced a flier Trailblazing in Michigan that depicts the initial portion of the proposed route from Dixburo through to Nine-mile road.

Karen Backus discussed the web site her husband is developing for this effort and showed an example of the home page. Although the web site is not completed it can be found at friendsofgreenoaktrails.com.

Jim Fackart and Kim Davis also attended the Green Oak Planning Commission meeting and found a lot of interest from the township planners in the developing a rail trail through Green Oak Township. In fact the planning commission has called a special meeting to review this issue. The meeting is to be held on November 25, 2003 at 7 PM at the new Green Oak Township hall. Which is at the corner of US-23 and Silver Lake Road.

We also discussed the need to generate as much interest as possible in this meeting and get as many concerned individuals to attend the meeting as possible.

Jim Fackart is making up about 500 fliers for distribution throughout the area and various individuals agreed to canvas various businesses. See the attached spreadsheet for specific efforts and see Jim if you could pass out some of the fliers to other businesses. We are targeting businesses that may benefit from having a trail in the region. These included businesses related to Fitness (Biking or Walking or Roller-blading or Cross Country skiing), Pets, or any business located close to the proposed trail. Our goal is to distribute the fliers to the businesses and to spur interest in individuals to attend the planning meeting on the 25 of November.

Our next meeting will be at the new Green Oak Township hall on November 25, 03 at

7 PM. This is an important meeting with the Green Oak planners, so invite as many concerned individuals as you can.

South Lyon trails experiences?

jfackert — Fri, 05 Mar 2004 13:53:08 GMT

Have you ridden the south lyon trails or the Huron Valley Trail? Are you a neighbor of the trail? post some comments on your experiences here. Is it a good thing? a bad thing?

Does the trail have any bad effects on your or the community? We want to know mistakes so we can avoid them in our planning! Please tell us more.

Jim

FOGOT meeting minutes 9 23 03

jfackert — Tue, 02 Mar 2004 15:27:00 GMT

Friends of Green Oak Trails Meeting Minutes

DATE: September 23, 2003

SUBJECT: Friends of Green Oak Trails Meeting Minutes

TO:

Jim Fackert Terry Pihalta Eric Piehl Reid Schormac

Karen ?

Diane Krol Kim Davis John Malek Terry Pihalta

Jan Plas

Eric Piehl Reid Schornack

Larry Wolicki John Calvert

John Mobby

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

1)Canvas the local subdivisions for interest in the trail cause. The subdivisions to be canvassed include:

A)Lime Kiln Diane Krol

B)Lake Side Est. North Karen ?

C)Pembrook Karen ? and Reid Schornack

D)Greenock Hills Kim Davis

E)4 Seasons Road area Larry Wolicki and Jim Fackert

2)Identify and notify support groups of the Green Oak trail development effort.

A)Local Biking Groups Larry Wolicki

B)Sierra Club Jim Fackert

C)Huron River Watershed Council Eric Piehl

D)Running Clubs Terry Pihalta

E)LAGO Jim Fackert

3)Develop and Introductory Flier for the Friends of Green Oak Trail development effort. Kim Davis

4)Identify the potential route from the South Lyon Rail Trail to Rushton Road. - Larry Wolciki and John Malek.

(Please alert any other interested individual)

An additional meeting is to be held on October 14, 2003, at 7:00 PM at the old Green Oak Twp. Hall to plan this route.

Note: The next monthly meeting is to be held on October 21, at 7:00 PM at the old Green Oak City Hall building.

FOGOT meeting minutes 2 24 04

jfackert — Tue, 02 Mar 2004 15:17:55 GMT

FRIENDS OF GREEN OAK TRAILS

MEETING MINUTES

Larry Wolicki, acting secretary

MEETING DATE: February 24, 2004

MEETING ATTENDEES:

Jim Fackert

Larry Wolicki

Gary Childs

Susan Stimson-Sugzda

PAST ISSUES

Jim Fackert and Kim Davis attended the Greenock Hills association meeting recently and discusses the proposed rail trail, which passes through their subdivision. The response from the homeowners was favorable.

ITEMS ADRESSED:

Larry Wolicki volunteered as temporary Secretary of the Friends of Green Oak Trails (FOGOT) organization.

We filled out the articles of incorporation for the State of Michigan, domestic non-profit corporation.

Five dollars was collected from the four attendees to cover the fee for processing the document above.

The secretary signed the Resolution to adopt Jim Fackert as the Representative to the FOGOT organization.

ITEMS TO BE ADRESSED NEXT

At the next meeting an election will be held to choose the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer for the FOGOT organization.

We will fill out the 501C3 Application for Exemption.

Jim Fackert is to speak to Mark St Charles (Green Oak Township Supervisor) about supporting our effort to determine a route through Lake Side Estates North and through Edwards property (between Greenock Hills and Pembroke Estates).

Kim Davis is to contact Lake Side Estates North Homeowners Association and the Pembroke Homeowners Association to determine their feelings about the potential rail trail.

Gary Childs is to meet with Rod Cook (South Lyon City Manager) in an attempt to obtain his support for the rail trail.

Gary Childs is to meet with Lloyd Collins (SL Chief of Police) to obtain safety and or nuance issues with adjacent homeowners in reference to the existing South Lyon rail trail.

Our next meeting will be at the old Green Oak Township hall on March 23, 2004 at 7 PM.

Good day and see you out on the local trails!

MEETING MINUTES!

jfackert — Fri, 27 Feb 2004 18:49:04 GMT

Minutes from our monthly meetings will be posted here. Please feel free to comment on anything in teh minutes, volunteer to help with projects, propose new projects, etc.

Note that if you click the "subscribe to this thread" box below, you will be informed by email whenever new minutes are posted.

Help build a walkable community!!

fund raising

jfackert — Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:34:05 GMT

We need to start raising funds to do a color flier, pay for the web site, offer prizes for our logo contest, tec. etc.

We have talked about soliciting contributions from bike shops, running shops, etc. So far we are operating on gifts from the founders...

We will add links to our web site and small ads to the brochure in return for donations and for contributions of gift certificates or discount certificates.

Maybe some shops would offer a discount for card carrying FROGOT members?

Terry has volunteered to contact some bike shops. Anyone else want to help work on this?

Also, what would be a reasonable membership fee, and when should renewals be due? I suggest we have a single annual renewal date of maybe march 31, so the treasurere can send out renewal notices and solicit renewals once a year. As people join, their dues would pay them through the end of hte current year. I Fthey join in jan-feb-mar they would be paid through the next year.

A spring is near renewall date might be good, as we will be refocusing on trails at that time.

What do you think?

Jim

HAmburg Twp- the Lakeland Trail

jfackert — Tue, 30 Dec 2003 07:22:38 GMT

City of Brighton trails

jfackert — Wed, 24 Dec 2003 17:42:04 GMT

We had a great meeting last Tueday, despite the blizzard. Kelly McIntire, deputy city Planner from the City of Brighton, came and talked about their desire to connect with the parks that surround the city to the east, south, and west with safety paths and trails. THey are working on plans for making east Grand River more friendly with safety paths, traffic calming and landscaping.

. We discussed connections from Brighton into Green Oak via Whitmore Lake Road, Ricket Road, and Grand River, which wiggles back and forth between Green Oak and Brighton Twp. as it runs east from the city. Our future connectionw westward into Hamburg Township and up Bower into Genoa township will offer some great loop routes into the City too!

We brought up the possibility of a trail along the active rail line (CSX?) that runs diagonally south eastward though the city, across US-23 just north of Lee Road, and into Island LAke Recreation Area. There are lots fo pros and cons to this idea... but it's worth looking at!

What do you think?

If you are a Brighton City resident, please think about starting a citizens group to advocate for a more biker/walker friendly town!

Jim

Brighton Township trails

jfackert — Wed, 24 Dec 2003 17:27:00 GMT

IF you are a Brighton Township resident, you might be interested to know that your planning commission, in response to a recent survey, are putting a preliminary trail plan in their recomendations to the board for the new master plan. A link ot their map is on our page under "other area trails". We will be working with them and with the City of Brighton to be sure our trails connect with theirs.

If you would like to see trails in Brighton Township, contact your township planner , your planning commissioners, and your board to encourage them to develop a trail plan and implement it!

Jim

Major routes, Preliminary map

jfackert — Sat, 20 Dec 2003 14:59:51 GMT

What do you think of the preliminary plan?

We have worked with the Township Planner and the Planning Commission to put together a preliminary proposal for the "backbone" of trails. We looked at the trails that now exist in the township (primarily in parks) and in surrounding communities, and at desirable trail destinations. The map can be viewed on the web site.

Primary routes:

-The old Michigan Airline Railroad route which runs east to west across southern Green Oak, aproximately parallelling 9 Mile and M-36, and connecting westward to the Lakeland Trail in Hamburg and other trails along the old rail line running all the way to Lake Michigan, and eastward to the trails in South Lyon and the Huron Valley Trail running eastward to Wixom and on through other Oakland County trails to Lake St. Claire.

This trail is important because it is a primary focus of the State DNR and Rails-to-Trails organization to complete this trail across lower Michigan, called the Airline Trail,

and the Green Oak Township portion and US-23 crossing are the last major bits of the Airline Trail to be planned. The rest of the trail is nearly complete! Significant grant funds are available and focused on this trail.

-The Lee Road connection, east to west across northern Green Oak. This route is important because it connects a string of parks and schools, and it is relatively short (the trails in the parks already exist for the most part!) and major commercial developement at Lee and US-23 is in the planning stages, and will facilitate construction of safety pathways through that area, and water and sewer lines are being run through now, resulting in cleared pathways above. This connects Island Lake Recreation Area to Huron Meadows Metropark, and beyond to Brighton Recreation area.

-North-South Connections: Rickett on the west side, Rushton and Kensington Rd. on the East side hook up th eeast-west trails to form a big loop.

If you live in the area of any of these proposed trails, join a subcomittee to help plan and build a constituancy for your section!

jim