Paint Creek Trail, the first rail to trail in the State of
Michigan, was acquired in 1983 from the former Penn Central
Railroad. The 8.9 mile Trail follows the Paint Creek as it meanders
through fields, prairies, woodlands and marshlands. The Paint Creek
is the major remaining cold water designated trout stream in the
Detroit area, around which many game and non-game birds, frogs,
snakes and toads make their home. A naturalized corridor, the Trail
is home to fox, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, quail, pheasant and
forest birds. White tail deer are frequently observed in early
morning or at dusk.
The Trail is owned and operated by the Paint Creek Trailways Commission, an intergovernmental agency
comprised of representatives from Rochester, Rochester Hills,
Oakland Township and Orion Township.
The non-motorized Trail was developed with a crushed limestone
surface in 1990. Crushed limestone was chosen over asphalt to help
maintain the natural setting. It was also chosen because of the
close proximity to the Paint Creek. The Trailways Commission wanted to protect the Creek
from the oil-based runoff from the asphalt.
In 1999, the Paint Creek Trail received a special honor. The
Southeast Michigan Greenways Trail, a conceptual network of
inter-connected trails and greenways throughout the 7-county area
of Southeast Michigan, was proclaimed Michigan's Millennium Legacy
Trail by the White House on October 21, 1999. The Paint Creek Trail
carried the honor of being the physical representative of the trail
system since it serves as an excellent physical and operational
example for other trails.
On June 1, 2006, the Paint Creek Trail received the honor of being
named a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of the
Interior. The National Recreation Trails program recognizes
exemplary trails of local and regional significance that provide
for numerous outdoor recreation activities in a variety of urban,
rural, and remote areas.
PCT is a great place to get out and get moving. Enjoy some fresh air and exercise
on our beautiful linear park.
Hours of operation are from 6:00am-10:00pm, year
'round.
This cache is placed with permission from the PCTC. Permit on file.
For
more
information on the Paint Creek Trailway
Commission see related web page link on this cache
page.
***CONGRATS
TO Lwnam91 & jonnydangerous FOR THE FTF!!!***