Ityav a my out for a run
-
A group of 40 cyclists mEigll
on the trail with his children,
for a ride on the trail.
Ashg_Aruf Ba> a «
Warm weather brings cyclists, runners and strollers to West Bloomfield Trail.
L
ooking for a safe, serene
place to walk, bike or run
this summer? If you haven't
found the West Bloomfield Trail
yet, you're missing out.
The West Bloomfield Parks and
Recreation Commission celebrated
the 2.7-mile extension of the trail
on June 1, with a dedication cer-
emony and ribbon cutting that
opened the newest portion of the
trail finished last winter. The trail
is now approximately 7 miles long,
running from Sylvan Manor Park to
Haggerty Road. There is no sign of
the former railroad tracks that once
marked this trail.
"The new trail is beautiful: said Denise
Goodwin Alter of West Bloomfield. "They
have done an excellent job with the exten-
sion. It's clean, safe and the crosswalks are
well designated:'
The trail provides a friendly, enjoyable
environment for local walkers, runners or
cyclists to get their daily fix of exercise.
"I prefer biking on the West Bloomfield
Trail as opposed to biking on sidewalks
because it is quiet, serene and safe Alter
said. "I can enjoy the quiet or put on head-
phones without having to worry about
traffic.
8
July 4 • 2013
Leslie Spector I JN Intern
"You don't realize how
long the trail actually is
because you're enjoying
what's around you — the
trees, flowers, animals."
;
r
- Kari Silver
"Local artist Suzy Friedman introduced
me to the trail as a shortcut to the Early
Bird Cafe in Keego Harbor many years ago.
Since then, biking on the trail has always
been an interest of mine," Alter added.
Ryan Kaluzny enjoys running on the trail
as he pushes his two kids, Bayla, 3, and
Asher, 1, in a stroller while his wife, Rabbi
Jennifer Kaluzny, is hard at work at Temple
Israel.
"We love the trail," said Kaluzny of West
Bloomfield. "We try to go on it as much as
possible. It's great exercise and teaches our
kids the importance of nature and exercise.
Bayla gets to run at the end, which she
always looks forward to:'
The West Bloomfield Trail is home to
magical purple and white spring wildflow-
ers, more than 100 bird species, whitetail
deer, red foxes and coyotes.
The trees canopy over the trail, creating
a shady environment while walkers enjoy
the peaceful path. The beauty of nature that
surrounds the trail makes exercising that
much more enjoyable.
If you get tired along the way or want
to stop for conversation, find one of many
benches along the trail — some donated by
members of the Jewish
community.
"You don't realize how
long the trail actually is
because you're enjoying
what's around you — the
trees, flowers, animals. It's
all so beautiful; said Kari
Silver of West Bloomfield.
According to Joe
Ketchum, park operations
superintendent, the West
Bloomfield Parks and
Daniel Baum
Recreation Commission is
sprints down
in
the process of hiring a
the trail,
naturalist, someone who
will provide educational
programs to educate the public on the natu-
ral environment.
"We hope to have a naturalist on board
with us in July," Ketchum said. "They will
host different events on the trair
Daniel Baum of West Bloomfield said,
"Too often in society today, people don't
value our environment. Fortunately, the
West Bloomfield Township elected and
appointed officials, along with its citizens,
value the woodlands and wetlands in the
area and continue to keep up with the beau-
tification of the trail for current and future
generations to enjoy:'
❑