Since 2017, after the residents of Sterling Heights passed the Recreating Recreation millage in November 2016, NFE has been providing civil engineering and land surveying services in collaboration with architect Dorchen/Martin Associates to improve several parks within the City of Sterling Heights. Part of the improvements the City wanted was having a non-motorized trail connecting the Beaumont Troy Hospital Campus to Delia Park.
NFE provided trail alignment engineering plans and construction documents. Prior we surveyed the land and prepared a topographic survey. A tree survey was completed and we planned to have over 375 trees planted to separate the trail from neighboring residential yards. To handle soil erosion, sections of the trail were designed with grading, silt fencing, inlet protection fence, and at times, gravel. Four bridges were designed when the trail needed to cross Plumbrook Drain. We also provided construction staking and oversaw the construction of the trail.
The 2-mile, 10-foot-wide, soft surface trail was completed in October 2020. The trail meanders through wooded areas and subdivisions following the Plumbrook Drain with two road crossings – one in a subdivision and one at 19 Mile Road. Signs are strategically placed at the intersections and at the start of the trail in Beaumont’s campus. Also, bump outs with benches are placed throughout the trail for rest/reflection.
This project provided Sterling Heights with much needed trail in the northwest section of the City, and is great for walkers, runners, and bicyclists. For more information on this project or to engage us on your future non-motorized trail project, please contact Pat Williams at 248-332-7931 or pwilliams@nfe-engr.com.
Over 375 trees were planted to separate the trail from residents’ backyards (left), and the trail crossing at 19 Mile Road was designed for safe passage (right).