July 2006 Oakland Equestrian UPDATE
Oakland Equestrian Coalition Update
July 6, 2006
Well, it’s been a long time since I have done an update. I have no excuse except that I have been out of town a lot and I must admit having fun. However a lot has been going on in the world of Oakland County Equestrians, so I’ll try to catch you up.
Web Site Support is Needed:
As you know we are an information disseminating organization and we collect no dues. Our web site is maintained by donations from individuals and groups. I was hoping for some advertising from some of you with equestrian businesses, especially boarding facilities. The website gets lots of enquires for boarding facilities in various parts of the county. From previous donations, I had $28.68 left over from 2005. Expenses for 2006 are $95.40 for Blue Host for 1 year. Also domain registration with GoDaddy of $17.48 for 2 years. That totals $112.88, so I need $84.20 to reimburse Merle for money paid out. Again, how about some advertising? The webmaster has been doing our web site as a favor to me. She has been ill, which is why I have not bothered her to update for awhile. Thanks for any help you can give, but take advantage and advertise your horse or sale, or trailer, boarding facility, etc. Go to the website at www.oaklandequestrians.org.
Polly Ann Trail Update:
Late last year I told you of the fiasco that occurred on the Polly Ann Trail. It was paved past the horse staging area in Leonard with no accommodation for horses on the side as had been talked about. Also the crushed limestone used on the part of the trail in Addison Township was way too large. Some of the crushed limestone closer to Oxford was of an adequate size. As a result Ed and Cathy Brakefield of Addison Township and Merle Richmond, Coordinator, Oakland Equestrian Coalition met with Mr. Jim Radabaugh of the DNR on November 15, 2006 in Lansing. A DNR representative had been down to examine the trail and agreed that the surface did not conform to DNR standards and concurred that horses need a trail along side the asphalted part in the Village of Leonard. Mr. Radabaugh also indicated that this expense should not come out of the equestrians pockets and promised a resolution. With no written commitment from the DNR or the Polly Ann Trail Commission, Addison Township has withdrawn from the Polly Ann Trail Management Commission. As of this date nothing has been done to alleviate the problems with the Polly Ann Trail in Addison Township, but then the cogs of government agencies turn very slowly so as to appear to not turn at all sometimes. I guess we must be patient. It is my understanding that the size of the crushed limestone on the trail in Addison Township does not meet the needs of hikers, bikers or equestrians. Hopefully more to come and will keep you posted. It was also revealed that the Polly Ann Trail Management Commission voted again and took the equestrian monies, totaling $5,000, That Cathy Brakefield had collected from equestrians for equestrian uses.
Addison Oaks County Park Update: On a brighter note
New Trails: On June 3rd, 2006 the newly formed Addison Oaks Trail Rider group held a work bee. The management of Oakland County Parks has opened up about 3-4 miles of two track trails through a nice wooded area. This gives equestrians about 8 miles of trails now to ride. The trails are very pretty.
Connector Trail: Oakland County Parks has applied for a grant that will allow them to construct a multi-use connector trail from Lake George Rd. on the west side of Addison Oaks, through the park, along Romeo Rd. to the Oakland Township Park which also has horse trails. The connector trail would include a horse/hiker/biker friendly opening from Lake George Rd. This opening is across the street from Bald Mountain State Recreation Area. Local equestrians are also working on obtaining access through Bald Mountain Recreation Area to connect with the Paint Creek Trail. Keep up the good work. Oakland County Parks is still open to horse camping in Addison Oaks. The local group will try to plan an event with camping during 2007.
Ortonville Modern Equestrian Campground:
The DNR announced earlier this year that there are plans for a modern equestrian campground in Ortonville State Recreation Area and also the addition of several new miles of equestrian trails. There is already a grant for the preliminary engineering studies and the completion date is not yet set. The Ortonville Equestrian Group is working with the DNR of this project. Some say the campground will be shared with non-equestrians and some say it will not. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Cleon Middleton or Steve Keim can probably tell you more. I’m sure they will keep us posted.
Equestrian Trails May be Coming Back to Holly State Recreation Area:
In a discussion with the DNR manager from Holly Recreation Area after the Oakland County Trails Advisory Council on June 28th, 2006, it was indicated by Mr. , that they would like to see equestrian trails back in Holly Recreation Area. If you are interested in helping this group organize and meet with the DNR to work on getting these trails to happen, send your name to me right now and I will see that it gets sent to the group. They have not indicated that a meeting is scheduled yet. Things are looking up. The Pontiac Lake Horseman’s Association, President Caryn Robinson indicated that group’s willingness to help the Holly group get organized. Hopefully they will be up and running soon. More to come later.
Rose Oaks County Park Update:
Rose Oaks is in the Master Planning process and have finished the Natural Features Inventory to learn was types of natural features are in the park. I believe this is used to determine what types of activities are suited to the park. There will be public meeting is Rose Township in the fall to get the public input. Rose Oaks is slated to be a low intensity park, which means no golf course, wave pool, etc. It is looking good for horse trails, but the public needs to make sure that Rose Township knows that people are interested in that.
Oakland County Parks is allowing another special event use of Rose Oaks for a 2nd Ride the Rose & Cruise the Connector Ride on August 27th. Posters and flyers will be out soon. This is a fundraiser for Equestrian Friendly Trails in the Headwaters Trail area of Oakland County, which included Holly, Groveland, Springfield and Rose Townships and the Village of Holly. The Ride starts at Rose Oaks and culminated at Springfield Oaks, or you can just ride Rose Oaks. Registration will be from 8-11 a.m. Those do the entire ride, will drop off their horses at Rose Oaks, move their rigs to Springfield Oaks and be shuttled back to their horses. Registration fee to cover expenses is $10, and a minimum donation or pledge of $10 to support the trail development is required. We hope you will get lots of pledges. Prizes will be given to those collecting the most money in pledges. A 50/50 Raffle will be held. Prizes and 50/50 winner will be announced at Springfield Oaks around 3p.m. during lunch which is included. For more information contact Merle Richmond at 248-624-1409, or go to the Headwaters Trail, Rose Oaks Equine Adventurers or Oakland County Parks websites.
Hope you are having a great summer and are out there enjoying all our wonderful trails that our local trail rider groups maintain. Please join one of these groups and lend a hand.
Merle Richmond
Coordinator
Oakland Equestrian Coalition
