Stockbridge trails don’t groom themselves

by Mary Jo David

If the activity and vehicles at the trailheads are any indication, trails around Stockbridge have become quite popular, and people are getting out and enjoying nature a lot more.

But trails don’t groom themselves. Thankfully, three local residents of Stockbridge—Clair and Linda Risner and David Mancini—share a strong appreciation for nature and go above and beyond to keep some of the local trails groomed.

Clair Risner and wife Linda have enjoyed the local trails for many years. As a runner, Clair has spent considerable time on the Lakelands Trail and knows parts of it like the back of his hand. Years back, he did some maintenance work on that trail, but most of his grooming focus for the past eight years or more has been on the trails in the Beckwith Preserve.

“A few times a year, I take my power weed whip out and work on the Conservancy trails, and Linda spends even more time pulling weeds while she’s walking the trails,” Clair said.

Their interest in helping with the trails began from using the Beckwith Preserve trails and meeting people from local and outside groups who help maintain them. The Risners are always happy when they come across others using the trails for recreation. Clair mentioned that “even the cross-country teams are using the trails to run on.”

His favorite parts of the Beckwith Preserve are from the parking lot on M-106 back toward the northwest, with its large pine tree section, and also the path that runs along Portage Creek.

“I have lots of memories from when I used to swim that creek when I was a kid way back!” Risner recalled with a chuckle.

We can thank David Mancini for helping to keep the trails open behind the high school, from the connector behind the warehouse to the apple orchard. He also works on the school trails from Heritage to Smith.

Using his own riding mower, grass blower, and chainsaw, Mancini has been working on the trails, weekly in the summer and biweekly in the winter, for about ten years. He comes by this volunteer work naturally—his day job is spent working in nature preservation for Washtenaw County.

“Early on, my daughter’s biology class would use the natural area behind Stockbridge High School. She came home and talked about what a nice area it was. But it needed work. I figured I’d work on it, so the bio class could focus on school work instead of clearing.”

Generally, Mancini focuses on keeping the trails cleared—cutting grass, sawing trees off the trail, and even helping pick up trash. “When we got some donated wood, I also added some duck boxes, and I put in a rustic boardwalk behind the high school as well as an in-ground picnic table with benches.”

Mancini believes that trail usage has definitely increased over the past few years. He often notices kids using the path boardwalks before and after school and during the summer. He enjoys occasionally catching sight of kids doing their homework at the in-ground table.

Asked about his favorite section of trail in Stockbridge, Mancini described the pond area behind the high school. He’s impressed by the good condition of the natural wetlands in that area, considering how close it is to human activity. “I’ve seen Blanding’s turtles back there, even a couple females. If they’re breeding, that’s good because I think they’re considered an endangered species.”

David Mancini keeps the trails open behind the high school, from the connector behind the warehouse to the apple orchard. Clair Risner’s grooming focus has been on the trails in the Beckwith Preserve. Image excerpted from “Let’s Walk Stockbridge” brochure, Stockbridge Community Pathways.

David Mancini also grooms the school trails from Heritage to Smith, which includes ensuring they’re ready for the annual 5k race that takes place during Day in the Village celebrations. Image excerpted from “Let’s Walk Stockbridge” brochure, Stockbridge Community Pathways.