Residents urge pause on Regency Connector Trail as plan nears completion

Several residents used the public-comment period to demand the park board pause the Regency Connector Trail planning process. One attendee told the board, "I would suggest strongly that you find a way to stop the plan right now and take a different path," arguing that what began as a draft is becoming "set in stone." The speaker urged immediate action to prevent routing through a private community.

Mary Tilber, who identified herself and cited an online document, said the township's November 2024 plan lists the proposal as the "Regency Connector Trail" (page 99) and noted that the township supervisor described the trail plan as expected between September and December. Staff confirmed the township applied for a trail-specific grant and said the grant application and supporting materials should be on the township website. Staff also reminded residents that the final decision would rest with the full committee and the board of supervisors and urged community members to attend the July 28 public meeting where revised plans and route maps are expected to be shown.

The public raised practical concerns, including potential liability if someone is injured on a trail routed through the neighborhood. One resident referenced a prior local trail lawsuit and asked whether legal representation would help the community contest the plan. Board staff did not commit to replacing the route but said the upcoming July 28 meeting and an associated bike-ride preview will present options and gather community input.

The meeting organizers closed public comment by directing residents to the board of supervisors' regular meetings and emphasizing that public participation there can influence the final decision. The park board set a follow-up Trailmaster plan update meeting for July 28 at 6 p.m.