The Paint Creek Trail will host a National Trails Day event on June 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with the theme ‘Experience Your Outdoors.?
Family activities are free, and will be held at the former Paint Creek Cider Mill restaurant, 4480 Orion Road, in Oakland Township. The site is adjacent to the Paint Creek Trail, near the intersection of Gallagher and Orion Roads.
Highlights of the event will include a ceremony honoring the trail’s National Recreation Trail Status (the first in Michigan), with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the trail at the Foley Pond Observation Deck, as well as an inflatable bouncer for kids, and rock climbing wall.
There will also be free kids? T-shirt painting and stenciling, sponsored by Oakland Township Parks. A free lunch is sponsored by Senator Mike Bishop.
There will also be a trail supporters recognition ceremony and free prize drawings.
Trailways coordinator Kristen Myers said part of the event’s focus is to encourage outdoor activity and exercise by utilizing trails.
‘We would like to encourage participants to walk, hike, run or bike, utilizing the Paint Creek Trail on National Trails Day to attend our event,? she said.
As part of this year’s celebration, the trail is expected to receive a National Recreation Trail designation from the US Department of the Interior.
If received, the trail will be the first in Michigan to receive the honor.