October 26, 2018 Mlive By Madison Bennett mbennet2@mlive.com
Although it was delayed by construction issues for more than three months, Plainfield Township has finally got to celebrate the completion of its first major project paid for through its trail millage.
Members of the Township Board and Parks and Recreation Committee gathered at the Jupiter Trail, at the intersection of Jupiter and Plainfield avenues, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
"As far as my knowledge...this is the first and only special millage that the township has ever approved," Township Supervisor Robert Homan said in brief remarks at the ceremony.
The new 1.9-mile trail is a connector along the east side of Jupiter Avenue linking the sidewalks of Plainfield Avenue to West River Drive and eventually to the Fred Meijer White Pine Trial.
Additionally, the trail features a connection of Airway Street to the Jupiter Trail through a stairway, which is equipped with a cement trough to allow people to bring their bikes up and down the stairs.
Completion of the trail was originally set for sometime in July, but the date was pushed back multiple times due to construction problems before it was officially finished in September.
Jupiter Trail to be completed by Sept. 5
This was the first major project paid for through the township's trail millage of 0.5 mills approved by voters in August 2016. The millage will last an additional eight years before it is up for renewal.
"I know that there is enough work to do for another renewal, but let's see how good we can do on this one," Homan said. "This is a real good start."
According to Bill Fischer, Plainfield's community development director, the township intends to hold a public ceremony next year after the north segment is complete.
