A new trail at Bay Court Park offers walkers a break from hot summer sun and a chance to connect with nature as it meanders beneath a canopy of trees in the park’s wooded area.
With a finished length of 1,325 feet, the trail first took shape as Clarkston High School sophomore Eric Lichtenberg began researching potential Eagle Scout projects. Lichtenberg, 15, pondered several possibilities before deciding to stay close to home.
‘We live right up the street,? said Lichtenberg, who resides in Independence Township with parents Dean and Nan, and three siblings. ‘We come to (Bay Court) all the time, so I thought it would be nice to do my project here.?
Situated off Andersonville Road between Nelsey and Airport, Bay Court offers residents a large, community-built play structure, free disc golf, restrooms and a newly opened public beach.
Two pavilions, a gazebo and an indoor room are also available for rent.
For years, said Lichtenberg, who belongs to troop #310 from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Clarkston, his family has considered the township park something of a meeting spot, and often uses it as a place to gather with cousins and others for a round of disc golf or an afternoon on the park’s large wooden play structure.
So when they were shopping around for the right project, Lichtenberg, and his father, who is also the pack scoutmaster, approached township personnel to inquire about the park’s needs.
‘I gave it some thought,? said Park Superintendent Roger Belcher. ‘We’ve got some regulars who walk in the park every day, so I thought a trail through the woods would be a nice addition. And maybe it will help bring more people in. We’d love to get more people into the park.?
So Belcher got to work marking and clearing a path.
‘The majority of the trees we removed were dead,? he said, noting Township Safety Path employee Kevin Daniels also provided help with the project. ‘We didn’t want to take too many good ones out.?
Then, with about 100 yards of wood chips donated by local landscapers, Lichtenberg and his pack, plus a number of church and family volunteers, rolled up their sleeves and spent July 27-28 loading, hauling, dumping and spreading a thick layer of chips along all 1,325 feet of the trail.
Now that the trail is finished, Belcher plans to bring in benches and install signage along the path to identify different species of native trees and plants. He’s also planning a sign to acknowledge Lichtenberg and other volunteers who brought the path from vision to reality.
‘Eric is a good, straightforward kid, and he seems headed in the right direction,? said Belcher. ‘I love to help anybody who’s looking to help themselves and help the community.?
It’s a good feeling, noted Lichtenberg, to approach the rank of Eagle.
‘I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot,? he said.
And his dad agrees.
‘We use a good mix of projects to keep the boys motivated and encouraged,? said Dean Lichtenberg. ‘We’ll work on merit badges one day, but the next we’ll get together just to have fun.?