There’s a new land preserve in Niles Township. Chikaming Open Lands Director Ryan Postema tells us they’ve acquired and announced the Trillium Woodlands Preserve.
“The property is about 40 acres,” Postema said. “It’s a forested area next to an existing natural area called Trillium Ravine Plant Preserve that’s owned by the Michigan Nature Association. So, the two properties are adjoining.”
The preserve can be found on Riverside Road south of Walton Road and east of US-31. Postema says Chikaming Open Lands is glad to purchase the property from its private owner to keep it pristine.
“It’s kind of a typical beech and maple forest that we have in this area. One of the features that really stands out is in the spring, there’s a lot of spring ephemerals, especially trillium, hence the name for the two properties.”
There aren’t any trails there yet, but Postema says Chikaming Open Lands plans to develop some in the next year. It’s also going to add a parking lot.
Eventually, the trails at Trillium Woodlands Preserve will connect to the trails at the adjacent Trillium Ravine.
This is now the 22nd land preserve owned by Chikaming Open Lands and its first in Niles Township.
