Committee advances Parkway-Macomb trail work, allocates funds and flags signage needs

Committee members said graveling and widening work on the Parkway-Macomb trail is partially complete and that the committee allocated funds to support the project and future trail surfacing.

Participants described seeing front-loader work on a gravel pile and said roughly one-third of the Parkway-Macomb trail segment (from the Woodside area toward Macomb) has been widened and graveled. One staff member said the committee previously approved up to $5,000 to support trail work; the committee indicated the plan is to set a gravel base and then add wood-chip surfacing to create a porous, stable path similar to the Ferry Gauge Trail.

Members explained the project is intended to reduce muddy, eroded sections in low-lying areas and increase connectivity across Grosse Ile. They said contractors will add wood chips over the compacted gravel where needed and that earlier investment in a base has preserved the Ferry Gauge Trail.

The committee also discussed trail signage and wayfinding. Members proposed installing rustic directional markers—small arrows, compass-style markers or stop/dead-end notices—appropriate for woodland settings to help users avoid private property and safely connect to existing bike-path streets (Parkway Drive). The committee agreed to add a signage discussion to a future agenda and investigate materials that are visually consistent with natural areas.

Ending: Staff will monitor the remaining trail graveling work, coordinate wood-chip placement, keep records of the $5,000 allocation and return to the committee with signage options and cost estimates.