At its regular commission meeting on May 2 the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission approved a bid by WCI Contractors Inc. of Detroit to construct a connector trail joining Addison Oaks County Park Main and East sections to other local parks. In addition to the WCI Contractors Inc. bid of $577,398.70, the parks commission approved $35,000 in design engineering, for a total cost of $612,396.70. Bald Mountain State Recreation Area via Lake George Road and Oakland Township’s Cranberry Lake Park will also be linked to the new trail.

“We want to provide safe and appropriate access between our parks and other locations for pedestrians, equestrians and mountain bikers,” Parks and Recreation Planning Supervisor Jon Noyes said.

The project received a $228,800 Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund Development Grant. Oakland County Parks and Recreation will fund the remaining $383,596.70. The 2.4 mile gravel trail will include 10 foot wide boardwalks through wetlands areas and an 8 foot wide aggregate trail with grass shoulders.

“People interested in historic preservation will be intrigued. Addison Oaks County Park includes the historic Buhl estate and the restored Victorian Milk House that can now be linked by the connector trail to Oakland Township’s Cranberry Lake Farm. This presents the opportunity to work together to offer historic interpretation by both groups,” Noyes said.

The linked trails are part of the Oakland County Pathways Concept that envisions linked pathways and greenways throughout the county and Southeast Michigan. Biennial surveys conducted by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission indicate county residents consistently rank trails as their number one recreational priority.

Trail construction is expected to begin in June and be substantially complete by fall 2012. This project will increase the county parks’ total trail system to more than 67 miles.

Scenic Addison Oaks County Park in northeast Oakland County offers 1,140 acres with two lakes and spring-fed ponds. The property includes an extensive trail system for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian riding as well as a campground, conference center, beach, boat rentals, fishing, picnic shelters and a 24-hole disc golf course. The park is located at 1480 West Romeo Road in Leonard.

Visit DestinationOakland.com for details. Find Oakland County Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

Note: This announcement was received and posted by Oakland Township-Lake Orion Patch.