Work begins on park walking trail

By SCOTT SWANSON, Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE - Construction has begun on a pedestrian walkway around Presque Isle Park that the city hopes will quell confrontations between walkers, bicyclists and drivers and prevent the further erosion and damage of unapproved trails.

"The (Presque Isle Park Advisory) Committee wanted a venue that was only available for pedestrians," said Marquette Parks and Recreation Director Hugh Leslie.
Leslie said construction of the first section of the trail began around June 18. Around 1,000 feet has been completed, which is half of the first phase of construction.

That phase will stretch from the Presque Isle Park pavilion on the island's west side to just past the band shell near the park entrance, Leslie said. The committee hopes to have that 2,000-foot section finished within four to six weeks, he said. With all phases completed, the 8-foot-wide handicap-accessible pathway would ring the entire park.

The first phase will cost anywhere from $3,500 to $4,500, Leslie said. The committee has currently raised about $8,000.

If the committee had hired an outside contractor for the project, the entire path would cost $367,000, Leslie said. However, because volunteer labor is being used, that figure should be cut roughly in half.

Committee members, Marquette Jaycees and other volunteers have helped with construction of the pathway, which will consist of a bottom layer of sand, with a layer of gravel topped by crushed granite.

"Visually, it's going to fit in," Leslie said. "It's natural-looking stone."

To raise the remaining $100,000-plus needed, Leslie said the committee will look to foundations, the public, and possibly apply for grants. Further construction of the path will depend on the accumulation of additional funding.

"They're going to fund-raise for as long as they have to," Leslie said.

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