A ribbon cutting was held at Galloway Lake Park in Pontiac on Thursday, November 16 to celebrate the new North Spur Trail extension of the Clinton River Trail (CRT), a 4.5-mile rail-trail that connects the CRT at Opdyke Road and extends north to Jaycee Park on Walton Boulevard.
Cutting the Ribbon for the North Spur Trail section of the Clinton River Trail – Photo by Sonya Julie
A culmination of efforts allowed the city of Pontiac to acquire the ‘North Spur’ from Canadian National Railroad. This abandoned rail line will provide a more scenic alternative to the present CRT sidewalk connection through Pontiac. Completion of this segment will bring the CRT closer to the goal of connecting a planned cross-state trail, the Great Lake to Lake Trail, which will extend from Port Huron to South Haven when completed.
Pontiac City Engineer and Acting Director of Public Works, John Balint greeted attendees and offered thanks to those who assisted in the grant process that allowed the city to obtain this section of trail. This included members from Friends of the Clinton River Trail, the DNR, City of Pontiac government officials, and Oakland County officials. Pontiac Mayor Deirdre Waterman and Deputy Mayor Jane Bais-DiSessa also took time to extend their gratitude to all who supported the trail project.
Pontiac City Engineer and Acting Director of Public Works John Balint addressing Guests at the North Spur Trail Ribbon Cutting – Photo by Sonya Julie
Recognition was given to Kristen Wiltfang, a senior planner in the Oakland County Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs, who played a large role in securing the grants for the development of the North Spur Trail. In 2015 Wiltfang worked to obtain $1 million in grant funding to map, design and coordinate efforts to develop the CRT, which runs through five Oakland County communities including Rochester and Rochester Hills.
Merrie Carlock, Grant Coordinator with the Michigan DNR and Pontiac Mayor Deirdre Waterman
Merrie Carlock, Grant Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, indicated that the trust fund for investments in state recreation is over a billion dollars and that “Oakland County communities have been proactive partners with over 156 grants and 81 million dollars. The city of Pontiac has a history of 1.4 million dollars’ worth of trust funds.” Carlock indicated that Oakland County supports recreational planning and that other counties don’t have the assistance and people in place to get projects going. “I notice that when I am working from the U.P. all the way around, whenever these kinds of trails are present, it’s something that brings in the community, keeps people in the community, and makes it a better place for us to live.”
Oakland County Commissioner David E. S. Bowman said “Truly this is a connection of gaps. We identify this particular area of trails as an opportunity to connect communities. And not only to connect communities but to work collectively with the county, the city, and the DNR. This is truly a collaboration of talents.”
Map of the Clinton River Trail featuring future developments including the North Spur Trail
Fred Phillips, president of the Friends of the Clinton River Trail said “This is a long time coming. Way back in 2003 an organization called the Greenway Collaborative did the master plan for the Clinton River Trail. Norman Cox and Carolyn Prudhomme are the ones who first introduced us to the North Spur and the potential it provided. So, it’s from their vision and leadership that we moved to this point today.”
The North Spur Trail will travel through 90 acres of land past lakes, through woods and wetlands, and will create additional connections for Rochester area residents to travel to on foot or by bike. Read The Ins and Outs of Cycling through Downtown Rochester.
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