The Friends of Maybury

Newsletter

Calendar of Events

Friends sponsored hikes,

events, and work days

June 2

National Trails Day with REI

9:00 AM-Noon

Meet at the Maintenance Building behind the park office, Beck Road Entrance July 14 Introduction to Geocaching

10:00 AM-Noon

Meet at the Trailhead Building

July 21

Roadrunner Classic

5:00 PM –8:00 PM

Meet at the Trailhead Building

August 25

Intro to Edible Plants

10:00 AM-11:30AM

Meet at the Trailhead Building

September 15 Maybury History Hike

10:00 AM-11:30 AM

Meet at the Trailhead Building

December 1 Owl Prowl

6:00 PM-8:00 PM

Meet at the Trailhead Building

See our website and Facebook page for more details.

www.friendsofmaybury.org

The Comeback of the Wild Turkey

Have you noticed wild turkeys in your neighborhood? Or have you

seen them in the park, or alongside the road? Wild turkeys have made

a remarkable comeback in Michigan. According to the Michigan

Wildlife Council this native bird was extirpated in Michigan by 1900

(in other words there were so few left they were virtually extinct in

this state). Today, however, it is estimated that there are “more than

200,000 birds found in every corner of the state.” The Wildlife Coun-

cil notes that several attempts were made in the 1900s to reintroduce

turkeys, but the first success in reintroduction came in the 1950s

when the DNR released 50 turkeys in West Michigan. Efforts to en-

hance or conserve turkey habitat were also made by both public and

private organizations. Today the population of turkeys in Michigan is

large enough to support both Spring and Fall hunting seasons in some

areas of the state.

If you’ve seen turkeys in the park, or in the neighborhoods surround-

ing the park, it’s not difficult to come to the conclusion that turkeys

are very adaptable birds. Although they can fly, they get around

mostly by walking. They prefer open forested areas but clearly are

comfortable in suburban back yards! They are omnivorous, eating

many kinds of plant matter, nuts, berries, mosses, seeds, and insects.

This time of year they are nesting and may have anywhere from 4-17

chicks. The Wild Turkey is one of only two domesticated birds native

to the “New World,” and if it had been up to Ben Franklin, the turkey

would have been the official animal of the United States, as he con-

sidered it to be a more respectable bird than the bald eagle!

The Friends of Maybury

Maybury Trails and Tales

June-December 2018

Newsletter

Northville Road Runners Sponsor the Classic Run/Walk Support the Friends of Maybury State Park

The Northville Road Runners (NRRs) is a 120-member club whose members are united by their love of run-

ning and walking. They are a group of fun-loving athletes who have a wide range of skill-sets and ages.

Walkers and runners are always welcome to join them. Maybury Park is their home base and host to two of

their three weekly runs. Go to their website address below for more information.

The Northville Road Runners are also

committed to giving back to the commu-

nity, and have been great friends to May-

bury State Park for many years through

their generous donations to the Friends

of Maybury. The annual Road Runner

Classic Race is their primary fundraiser

which specifically benefits the Friends.

Over the past 10 years, the Road Runners

have donated approximately $24,000 to

our Friends group, which helps us ex-

pand our offering of projects, events, and

support to the park. These funds allow

us to fund more scout projects, more

workday projects, and family fun events.

Thanks to the Northville Road Runners!!

This has been a terrific partnership.

The 2018 Road Runner Classic

This year’s Road Runner Classic is scheduled

for Saturday, July 21st. Enjoy a beautiful

summer evening and participate in one of the

races. There are three: an 8K, a 5K, and a 1

Mile Fun Run/Walk. Family fun during the

races includes face painting, hand-on activities,

and a baby farm animal petting area. Post-

race activities include: pizza, live music, liba-

tions, homemade baked goods, and much

more.

Whether you’ve been running for years, or just

getting started, join the fun and run the

“Classic”.

For more information and to sign up for the

race go to www.northvilleroadrunners.org.

Above: Friends members George and Chuck accept a

$2500 check from Peg, Ron, and Gary, raised from the 2017

Classic Run/Walk.

What’s New in the Park?

From the Maybury Park Supervisor and Staff

Spring is at an end and as we enter the summer season the park staff has been busy with repairs and improve-

ments, which include the following items.

The Walnut Shelter will get a new roof this fall.

One of the vault toilets by the horse stables has been stabilized with new base material and a new vault.

Dead trees were removed from the park’s Beck Road entrance. A new split rail fence will be installed.

Several Eagle Scout projects are underway which include repairing the fishing pier deck boards, and creat-

ing an access path for the vault toilet at the Trailhead Shelter.

A new entry booth at the Beck Road entrance will be installed.

And wait…. here’s the list of summer programs coordinated by park staff. Please note that a recreational pass-

port is required on all vehicles entering the park.

Gazelle Sports/LOLE Mother and Daughter Yoga in the Park – Wednesday, June 20 – 6 pm the open

space by the Trailhead Building – FREE

Northville Yoga Room – Yoga in the Park – Thursday, June 14 6:30 pm at the open space by the Trail-

head Building – FREE

Coffee with the Park Supervisor – Saturday, June 9, July 21, and

August 11 9:30 am at the Trailhead Shelter. Complimentary beverages

and snacks. Come ask questions and get information about the park.

FREE

Northville Kiwanis Fishing Derby – Saturday, June 9 1-3 pm at

the Fishing Pond FREE

Music Mondays at Maybury – Monday,

July 2 -August 20 7 pm Family friendly en-

tertainment at the Trailhead Building FREE

We hope you enjoy your experience at May-

bury State Park. Please let park staff know if

you have any concerns that we might address

to improve your visit.

Traci Sincock, Supervisor,

and the Staff of Maybury

State Park

New Playground Coming to the Park!

The Northville Kiwanis Club and the Northville Township Firefighters Charity Fund have teamed up to raise

over $100,000 for an all-new playground complex. Their efforts will ensure that Maybury Park has a safe,

collaborative, inclusive play structure for kids of all abilities. The new playground will not only replace the

outdated equipment currently between the park’s Trailhead Building and Maybury Farm, but will also ex-

pand the play options available. The

pictures below depict the playground

concept.

In support of the effort, the Friends of

Maybury have made a $1,000 cash do-

nation to the new structure. We have

additionally committed up to another

$1,000 to purchase and install a new

split-rail fence between the playground

and the nearby parking lot, to serve as a

safety barrier.

You can also be a part of this exciting

project. Your contributions can direct-

ly and meaningfully impact its’ success.

To learn more, please visit: www.NorthvilleKiwanis.com. For more information about the Northville Fire-

fighters Fund, and to make a donation, go to: www.ntffcharityfund.com

The playground will be built in “community build” format in the Spring of 2019. As we get closer, please

watch for details on the Friends of Maybury website & Facebook page. We can build this together!

Bicyclists and Horses Don’t Mix!

If you’ve recently been to Maybury State Park, you know that it attracts a lot of people—walkers, joggers, bi-

cyclists, hikers and horseback riders, with over 523,000 visitors in 2017. As area farms give way to new sub-

divisions around Maybury, riding a bike in the park has grown in popularity. So much so that the horseback-

riding trails occasionally have bicyclists attempting to share that narrow path.

“This practice is dangerous for everyone,” says Park Supervisor Traci

Sincock, who cautions that horses may be spooked by bicyclists and

throw the rider or riders, and bicyclists could sustain injuries too. Sincock

notes that bicyclists may ride only on designated trails in the park and are

not permitted to ride on equestrian trails. A state law on land use backs

up that rule and those who disregard the law could be charged with a civil

infraction and a fine of up to $500.

Bicyclists may enter the park only through the park entrances on 8 Mile,

west of Beck (main entrance) and at the intersection of 8 Mile and Beck,

which is the LINK connection—a non-motorized trail that links the park

to the Township, City and Hines Drive.

There are six miles of rails for mountain biking, four miles of paved trail and 11 miles of horseback riding

trails. The trail map can be accessed by clicking on this link: http://www.michigantrails.us/michigan-trail-

maps/maybury_map.pdf . If you have any questions or comments, please contact Traci Sincock at 248-349-

8390 or by email: sincockt@michigan.gov.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

Did you know that deer ticks can cause Lyme Disease? To learn more about ticks and how to prevent Lyme

Disease, check out the Tick ID Card below. Visit www.michigan.gov/lyme for more information.

What is Forest Bathing?

Forest bathing has received a lot of publicity recently. Although the practice began in Japan, it is gaining a

foothold in both the US and Canada. So what is forest bathing, or Shinrin Yoku? The Shinrin Yoku web-

site gives the following definition: “Shinrin-yoku is a term that means "taking in the forest atmosphere" or

"forest bathing." It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive

health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Researchers primarily in Japan

and South Korea have established a robust body of scientific literature on the

health benefits of spending time under the canopy of a living forest. Now

their research is helping to establish shinrin-yoku and forest therapy through-

out the world.

The idea is simple: if a person simply visits a natural area and walks in a re-

laxed way there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits to be

achieved.” Taking a walk in the woods, or just sitting and enjoying the peace

and quiet of a forest, can help to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and im-

prove your mood.

Come visit Maybury State Park and take a walk in the woods! It is an ideal

place to take in the peace and quiet of nature and trees.

Maybury Mystery Challenge

Can you find what is pictured below left on your next walk in the park? There are several in the park, can

you find them all? Do you know what it is and how it is used? If yes, feel free to post the location and expla-

nation on our Facebook page.

The picture below on the right is from our Mystery Challenge in the last newsletter. It is a labyrinth that

was built by a Girl Scout and her troop members as part of a Gold Award project. A labyrinth can be used

as a meditation and prayer tool This is located near the Oak Shelter and was built approximately 10 years

ago.

Yes! I want to be a Friend of Maybury!

Membership and Donation Information

All memberships renew on June 1st of each year. For partial year memberships, submit what-

ever you deem appropriate. Membership will place you on our email distribution list for meet-

ing and events notification, plus future newsletters.

Join at http://www.friendsofmaybury.org/membership/ Pay online using a credit card through

Pay Pal. You do not need to be a member of Pay Pal to use this service.

OR

Fill out the form below, and mail a check made out to The Friends of Maybury to:

The Friends of Maybury State Park

20145 Beck Road

Northville, MI 48167-1758.

_________$15 Regular Membership

________$25 Family Membership

________$100 Commercial/Benefactor

Name ____________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Email ____________________________________________________________________

The Friends of Maybury is a 501 (c) (3) all-volunteer, charitable organization and your dues and do-

nations are tax deductible. We partner with DNR and other organizations to support the park. All

funds raised are used for specific park improvements, educational opportunities, or for the enjoy-

ment of park visitors.

Friends of Maybury Board Members Jean Bemish, Caryn Bartone, Ron Campbell, Amy Kostrzewa,

Andrea Murdock, Chuck Murdock, Kate Rayner. Newsletter Contributors: Chuck Murdock and Traci

Sincock. Newsletter Editor and Contributor: Kate Rayner.