By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Ortonville-

The village council is seeking to expand walkways, not through trails, but sidewalks.

At their April 24 meeting, the council approved by a 6-0 vote a proposal from Rowe Professional Services Company to provide design and engineering services for the construction of sidewalks along Narrin, Myron and Ball Streets in the amount of $8,800.

“The long-term goal has been to improve walkability in the village and this survey helps us get to that long-term goal,” said Village Manager David Trent.

The survey work will ensure there is adequate space in the right of ways to accommodate sidewalks, taking into account possible complications includign drainage, utility poles, and trees that might hinder layout.

He added that the council has been discussing over the past few months how to create a walking path to Bueche’s Food World, 400 N. Ortonville Road, from the village. There has been concern over pedestrians utilizing the shoulder of Oakwood Road between Cedar and M-15.

The Road Commission of Oakland County recently rejected an application by the village to widen the shoulder of Oakwood Road in that area. Contrary to a belief that widening the shoulder would improve safety for pedestrians, the commission said it would increase the danger. Instead, the possibility of using Tri-Party Funds, of which there is a total of $53,000 available is being investigated to also install a sidewalk along Oakwood Road from Cedar Street to Bueche’s.

If that project proceeds, a footbridge would also be necessary to cross the Kearsley Creek at Narrin Park.

While trails have also been part of the strategic plan for the village, the council nixed at their April 24 meeting any plans to put a developed trail on a 47-acre parcel of land in the village west of the Crescent Hill subdivision. The property was deeded to the village in 1982 for park or recreational use. Mostly wetlands, Trent had recently proposed its possible use for a connection to the Iron Belle Trail, a state project that has been proposed to extend a continuous trail from Belle Isle to Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula.

Councilmember Dan Eschmann made a motion at the April 24 meeting to designate that property as the Ortonville Wildlife Preservation Park on which use of off-road vehicles, motor bikes, hunting, and development of bike or foot path or trails is prohibited, as well as “any other use other than to preserve, support and protect the habitat and wildlife on this property.”

“We’re preserving it for wildlife and wildlife habitat,” he said.

The motion passed 4-2, with Eschmann and council members Coleen Skornicka, Karen Sleva, Mark Butzu voting yes. Council President Wayne Wills and Councilmember Tonja Brice voted no.