The finishing touches are being done on several safety path projects across the township.
Township officials said the work could mark the end of the work for the entire system.
Township Parks & Recreation Director Rock Blanchard said these could be the last safety path projects for the township, as the millage expires this year.
A ballot issue regarding the safety path system failed in May, but it is possible that a new millage asking for only a renewal of the current millage could come to the voters in 2008.
With the remaining funds, the township approved work this year on a number of projects: Baldwin Road (north of Waldon to Eaton Gate), Lapeer Road (north of Greenshield), Lapeer Road (south of Indian Lake), the Senior Center parking lot, a parking lot for the Polly Ann Trail off of Indianwood, and two minor replacement/repairs (on Markdale and Joslyn Roads).
Blanchard said two of the projects, which were undertaken last month, stood out. They are a repaving on a path leading to the Paint Creek Trail and work on Baldwin Road and Klais.
‘I worked with Paint Creek Trailways Coordinator Kristin Meyers, Lake Orion DDA Director Lois Golden, Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel to coordinate the funding and the project,? Blanchard said of the path behind the Atwater Commons that leads to the trail.
He said the trailways commission got a DELMAC grant to fund their portion of the project. The entire project came in at just over $30,000.
‘It will help to make the downtown more accessible from the Paint Creek Trail,? Golden said, saying it demonstrated constructive collaboration involving multiple governing bodies.
The Baldwin and Klais project will allow for many to gain safe access to Friendship Park, and came about from the suggestion of a resident in the area.
‘The township was very receptive and it was great news to us and anyone that lives on the west side of Baldwin,? said resident Marc Henretta. ‘It worked out really well.?
The project still had a few minor details left, but Henretta, a paraplegic, is excited about what it will mean for everyone in the area.
‘For me, and many others, to use the path system, I have to get across Baldwin,? Henretta said, adding that there are many children in the area.
‘It’s a 45-mile-per-hour speed limit and that’s just too dangerous to be on, especially at rush hour.?