Oakland Township Park Guide: Mill Race Trail

During the next several weeks, Oakland Township Patch will be creating and compiling a comprehensive, interactive multimedia package to serve as an in-depth guide to Oakland Township's Parks. Mill Race Trail is the second to be profiled for this project; has also been profiled.

Size: The trail is 0.3 miles long
Year acquired: 1974
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Interesting fact: In 1974, Lucille and David McMillen donated two and a half acres to the township. The strip of land sits between the Paint Creek and the Millrace beginning at the Gallagher Road bridge and extending northwest along the trail for about a half a mile. Needham Hemingway – who was, in fact, related to Ernest Hemingway – dug the millrace in 1835 to power his gristmill. In 1876, William Goodison bought Hemingway’s mill, expanded it and installed modern machinery. The mill was operational until 1941.
Wildlife: Reptiles, amphibians, squirrels, birds, water fowl
Trail type: Dirt and wood chips.
Entrances: The trail begins at the Gallagher Road bridge at Orion Road by the Paint Creek Cider Mill; parking is available at the Paint Creek Trail. The trail ends across the street from Goodison Veterinary Center on Orion Road.
Playground: No.
Picnic facilities: No.
Bathrooms: Facilities are available during the day at Paint Creek Cider Mill.
Attractions: Scenic views of both the Paint Creek and the Millrace.

Park Rules and Regulations (from Oakland Township Ordinance 38A-1):

1. Only visit during daylight hours when the parks are open.
2. Only use motorized vehicles in authorized areas, such as driveways or parking lots.
3. Keep pets on a maximum 6-foot-long leash and always under control.
4. Clean up after pets.
5. Respect the plants and animals and do not disturb them.
6. No discharge of weapons or projectiles (including paintball guns).
7. No hunting or trapping.
8. No alcoholic beverages.
9. No open fires.

Permits are required for:

• Camping in designated areas.
• Exclusive use of a facility.
• Geocaching in the parks.
• Group functions for 50 or more people.
• Use of loudspeaker, public address system or sound equipment.

For more information, visit the Charter Township of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department in the Paint Creek Cider Mill, or call 248-651-7810.