A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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Winter has absolutely hit Michigan with record-setting snow of over 25 inches in one day in Gaylord last week. Add that to the nearly 40 inches of snowfall in Sault Ste. Marie in the past 10 days. Winter activities are in full swing to the North of us and creeping their way south to our town. We’ve only had some flurries here and just a bit on the ground … but it looks like snow is in the forecast. Get ready for Winter’s official start on December 21
^st.

In this week’s letter, I’ll highlight some of the winter activities that have made Northville special throughout history. I invite everyone to take advantage of our local outdoor winter venues during this frosty season.

By the way, DID YOU KNOW … In days gone by, World Champions would participate in Ski Jump competitions in the Northville area (7 Mile / Hines Drive) during the winter months. Also early on, I heard stories from my father how he and his buddies climbed Buchner Hill (highest point in the county, Hillside School area) to toboggan from there to Northville Downs. Their speeds could reach nearly 50 MPH on this mile-long run. Additionally, I was told high schoolers would sometimes ski behind a vehicle going down Hines Drive in the 1930’s. Also many skated and played hockey on the plethora of natural ice-skating rinks in the area.

Before highlighting our Winter Wonderland Areas, let's see what's going on in "The Ville" today:
* “A Holiday to Remember” event (DDA), 12/14-15 – Activities downtown Link ([link removed].)
* Holiday Fun & Santa Visits at Maybury Farm, 12/14-15, 10AM-5PM Link ([link removed])
* Christmas in the Village, 12/15, 1-6PM at Mill Race. Fun for the whole family in a historic Victorian setting (Link ([link removed]) ). The decorated Festival of Trees now lights the lane. Gift ideas from the Historical Society include engraved bricks ([link removed]) and the newly released coffee table book, A Ride Through Northville ([link removed]) .
* Michigan Philharmonic Holiday Pops Concert, 12/13, 7:40PM at Marquis Link ([link removed])
* Little Women is now playing at Tipping Point Theatre Link ([link removed])
* Northville High School Music Department’s Winter Wonderland Concert, 12/17 and 12/18 Link ([link removed])
* Christmas Tree Sale by Troop 755, at American Legion Link ([link removed])
* Northville is recognized as one of the most charming Christmas towns in Michigan! Link ([link removed])

Info for Citizens
PROJECTS AROUND TOWN
* Ford Field – Phase I: Infrastructure, waterfall - Randolph Drain, Phase II (spring) Overview vista, fencing, staircase & ADA entrance, play structure, bathrooms.
* Riverwalk – Retention pond at Downs dug & Riverbed constructed (rocks & timbers being added). Log Cabin positioned, and other sections being prepped.
* Downs Initiative – Streets/Curbs poured in sections and some foundations poured.

NEW TASK FORCE MEETINGS
* Cemetery Restoration Task Force - Next Meeting 1/13/25 – Stop by Oakwood Cemetery & see progress. Contact Dave Marold for info/support @ [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
* Bicentennial Task Force – Next meeting 1/23/25 – Signage, Markers, Movies, Media, Tours, Banners, Events, other. For info write to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

The Winter Wonderland through time in Northville:
* Ski Jump Hill – Northville was known as the “Ski Jump Capital of Michigan” at one time. As I noted, world champions would come to jump from the 60-foot structure built on top of the hill on 7 Mile and Hines Drive. The landing strip shot west towards the current location of Custard Time.
* Sledding – Amerman School sledding has been a generational tradition in our town. Most youth in our community, at one time or another, sledded down that hill (8 Mile & Center) which was part of the Taft Gravel Pit early on. Cass Benton Park is another area where sledding occurs.
* Toboggan Runs – For the truly brave, going all the way back to the late 1800’s, many would attempt toboggan runs, starting where Hillside Middle School is today. Back then, Buchner Mansion (Buchner’s Hill) towered over the town…where on a clear day from its widow’s peak you could see Detroit to the east (30 miles) and Ann Arbor to the west (25 miles). As the highest elevation in the county, it earned bragging rights as one of the best sledding and tobogganing venues in Southeast Michigan. The sledding run would traverse almost a mile from 8 Mile to 7 Mile. Many youths historically have broken more than their sleds on this run!
* Cass Benton Park’s Toboggan Run – When I was young, lighted toboggan shoots were used on Hines Drive in Cass Benton Park, where disc golf is played today. It could get quite exciting on icy nights. Also, on the West side of Hines Drive entering Cass Benton Park, sledding has been a tradition since the early 1900’s.
* Skiing – There were many stories back in the 1930’s about adventurous youth (my father included) skiing behind Model T’s and Model A’s on Hines Drive using a clothesline as a tow rope.
* Joe Denton Park on 7 Mile in Orchard Heights was sort of the bunny hill for beginner skiers and first-time sledders. I used to think it was steeper when I was a kid.
* Skating – The Mill Pond, located behind the Mill Race Village in Cabbagetown, was a popular skating rink. Additionally, other areas for ice hockey were: The spring-fed pond in Orchard Heights, Fish Hatchery Park, Behind the Art House (Where the Dog Run is today) and Curtis Lake (the only natural lake in Wayne County), along with makeshift rinks at the various gravel pits around town. Ford Field even had an area to skate for the youth in years past.
* Cross Country Skiing – In the community is Maybury State Park and Cass Benton Park on Hines Drive, both offering great snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, walking or winter mountain biking. I used to Cross Country ski in both areas.

Take advantage of all these venues to enjoy winter recreation. Michigan’s Winter Wonderland nickname is perfect for our community which historically has been known as the “Switzerland of Wayne County” and the “Hamlet in the Hills.” I encourage you to get out and experience the Winter Wonderland of Northville!

Keep that Northville Winter Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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