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There will be a walk on the Polly Ann Trail at sunrise around 7:30 a.m. Oct. 27. Runners and walkers will traverse the entire 32-mile trail. The walk's purpose is raise awareness about the trail, and to build support for its development.

The walk will start at the north end of the trail at Curtis Road just east of Lake Pleasant Road and will go south through Lum, Imlay City, Dryden, Leonard, Oxford, and Lake Orion. It will end at the south end of the trail at Indianwood Road, two miles west of M-24 and will be led by ultra marathoners Dick West of White Lake and Dave Kanners of Columbiaville.

"The people doing this are long distance runners who want to raise awareness of the trail," said David Howell, chairman of the Friends of the Polly Ann Trail. "Dryden, Dryden Township, and Imlay City support the trail. Imlay Township, Attica and Arcadia Township do not have an official resolution (of support). Ultimately, we hope to have support from those three remaining townships."

The Oakland County portion of the Polly Ann Trail, running from Indianwood Road to Bordman Road, was surfaced with crushed aggregate in 2006 and is in excellent condition.

The Lapeer County portion of the trail is in rougher condition, with the surface being the former railroad bed (the tracks and rails are removed). In Dryden Township, from Bordman Road to Sutton Road, the trail is in reasonably good shape. In Imlay City, the trail is paved. The remaining Lapeer County portion of the trail is challenging in spots as maintenance in those areas has been limited. The Lapeer County portion of the trail is managed by Lapeer County Parks.

Howell said the trailway is owned by the state. Bicylists and horses are allowed on the trail.

The Friends of the Polly Ann Trail are working to support further development of pathway in Lapeer County. In existence for 10 years, the friends group has helped to develop the trail's master plan, built seven bridges on the trail, and helped maintain the trail in Dryden Township. Currently, the friends group is working with Lapeer County Parks on a grant to acquire seven acres of land to connect General Squire Park in Dryden to the Polly Ann Trail.

The Polly Ann Trail gets its name from the old Polly Ann Railroad.

For more information on the walk of the Polly Ann Trail call West at (248) 887-5495.

For more information on the Polly Ann Trail or friends group contact Howell at (734) 282-4327.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com