Have you ever considered adoption?
The Polly Ann Trailway Management Council (PATMC) is looking for hard-working groups of people to adopt and maintain half-mile sections of the non-motorized pedestrian path between Lakeville Elementary in Oxford and Bordman Road in Addison Township.
‘The trail is 14 miles long and we are having a difficult time keeping up with it because the community corrections programs are limiting their hours,? said Trail Manager Troy Farwell, of Oxford.
In the past, maintenance activities along the trail such as trimming weeds and picking up litter were handled by individuals sentenced to work in the Weekend & Weekday Alternative for Misdemeanants (WWAM) program.
WWAM is an alternative to incarceration for misdemeanor offenders. Offenders are court-ordered to perform community service for nonprofit organizations in lieu of traditional jail sentences.
‘We’re not getting the WWAM guys nearly as much,? Farwell said. ‘We used to get them three days a week. Now, we’re lucky if we get them once every 10 days.?
This lack of manpower coupled with all the rain that’s fallen this season has resulted in some extensive weed growth along the trail. Farwell’s tried to keep up with it himself, but it’s simply too big of a job for one man.
‘I’ll spend six hours out there and I’ll get a half-mile or a mile done,? he said. ‘I was out until 10 o’clock last night weed trimming and my back is completely out today. I can barely even function. It’s been pretty hard on me. I’m a 40-year-old guy out there trying to trim weeds all day long.?
In order to keep the trail looking good ? and keep Farwell out of the hospital ? the PATMC is looking for 10-12 groups of people to adopt half-mile stretches and do three things on a regular basis ? 1) trim weeds; 2) pickup trash; and 3) cut low-hanging tree branches over the trail.
‘If we could get help with that, that would be fantastic,? Farwell said.
Participants in the adoption program should expect to spend approximately three hours every couple of weeks maintaining their trail section. But those who wish to do more will not be discouraged.
‘They can go out as often as they want,? Farwell said.
The trail council will supply all the necessary equipment.
‘We’ve got 13 weed trimmers,? Farwell said. ‘Thirteen people take about 20 minutes to do a half-mile.?
Groups being sought to adopt trail portions include local businesses, churches, service clubs, scout troops, etc.
‘A family could do it,? Farwell noted.
Each group that adopts a section will be recognized with a sign posted on the trail and a mention on the PATMC’s website.
‘They get a marketing opportunity out of it,? Farwell said.
Main Street Bicycles in Oxford and the Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center in Addison Township have already agreed to participate in the new program.
‘I’m excited about it,? Farwell said. ‘I’m hoping I get some more responses.?
Those interested in adopting a half-mile section of the Polly Ann Trail should are asked to please call Farwell at (248) 969-8660.