Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


A number of park improvements are underway in Northfield Township.

Construction of the second paved pathway is underway at the Northfield Community Park. The new paved trail will connect the paved pathway that was installed at the park last fall to the Play Path on Barker Road and will include a crosswalk with flashing beacons crossing near the Northfield Township Area Library.

The project is being funded by Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Connecting Communities Grant in the amount of $300,000 and by funds received by the township through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $150,000. Construction is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.

Some other park improvements are also in the works.

At an April meeting, the Northfield Township Parks & Recreation Board presented the Board of Trustees with their proposal for placement of play equipment, shade structures, grills and other future park amenities.

The Parks & Recreation Board's goals for this summer are to complete installation of a mini nature playscape, shade sails and charcoal grills, complete some landscaping in various areas of the park, and upgrade the unpaved portion of the one-mile perimeter trail.

The township noted that three charcoal grills were donated to the Northfield Community Park by Polly Market. The Nature Playscape features are being purchased using funds received through the Building Healthy Communities Grant in the amount of $46,500, a $500 donation from Kiwanis Club of Whitmore Lake and approximately $15,000 from the township's general fund.

The Shade Sails are being purchased for the park using funds awarded through the GMAR Placemaking Grant in the amount of $3,000, and $15,123 from the township's general fund.

A shoreline assessment is also taking place.

OHM Advisors was contracted by the township earlier this year to conduct an analysis of the Community Park's shoreline area to determine the feasibility and anticipated cost for constructing waterfront amenities at the Community Park. OHM is scheduled to present the findings of their study at the May 14th board meeting.