Eye Candy of the Week: New bridge-trail in Meridian Township

This week’s Eye Candy is the newly opened bridge-trail south of the Nancy L. Moore Community Park in Meridian Township. The trail includes a bridge over the marshy area north of Central Park Drive, running parallel to Okemos Road. The bridge-trail itself is constructed of wood with iron supports, raising the bridge-trail several feet above the marshland below. A concrete ramp leads up to the bridge on both the north and south sides of the trail. It is approximately a quarter-mile long and offers a lookout spot to stand and observe the natural area to the east.

The bridge-trail is sheltered from Okemos Road by trees, currently bare; however, once in bloom these trees will make the spot feel like a nature preserve, removed from its nearby urban surroundings. The trail is a destination in itself for dog walkers, families pushing strollers, and runners, all out recently on an unexpected springlike day. Parking is available at the Meridian Works building. The new bridge-trail is also a safer alternative for pedestrians and cyclists who traverse the area, providing a connection between the rails-to-trail path between Park Lake Road and Okemos Road and the Meridian Farmers Market and surrounding area. Check it out!