Thursday, January 19, 2023

On schedule

Demolition at Legacy Park site under way

Northville Township officials recently noted that the remediation of the 11 remaining state psychiatric buildings at Legacy Park is progressing on schedule. 

Since starting in June, the asbestos and hazardous material materials were removed from eight buildings. Six of those buildings were demolished, officials said, while one building will be repurposed for future use. Only four buildings remain to be demolished this year. 

While the cold weather temperatures have impacted the remediation process,  contractors will begin work when temperatures allow, according to a prepared report from the township offices. Demolition of the standing buildings that have been abated may continue through the winter.

Once complete, the transformation of Legacy Park into a recreation site will begin. 

As part of that project, the township has approved the construction of nearly 15.5 miles of non-motorized trails at the Legacy Park site, which will be open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, running, walking and nature exploration, township officials said.

Some of the trails will be surfaced and accessible, while others will be in a more natural habitat, they said, ensuring there will be some type of activity for everyone to enjoy. 

Township officials said the groundbreaking for the trails is expected this year. Until the new expanse of trails are available, officials said there are currently trails at the eastern edge of Legacy Park. The Bell Branch Trail is open for mountain biking and the Chinkapin Hiking Trail is a one-mile loop to explore on foot. Access is available from Wayne Avenue, north of Cross Road, off Haggerty.

Members of the Northville Board of Trustees approved the new trail project at Legacy Park during a recent meeting. 

Plans for the pathways and trails were created with the help of survey results from more than 800 residents, focus groups and a topography analysis by experts at Kay-Linn Enterprises. 

To view the plan, visit  https://ntwp.org/legacyparktrails.