The curved boardwalk will lead from uplands to the edge of the swamp--and beyond.

I had the pleasure of spending a blustery morning with Oakland County Parks employees working through the Groundhogs Day snow storm to keep  trail constuction at Independence Oaks - North on schedule in anticipation of a public opening in April.  For details on the expanding acreage of Independence Oaks County Parks see the hiking column in the "A" section of the Sunday edition of The Oakland Press on February 13th. Or you can access the hiking column on line at http://www.theoaklandpress.com/  and type my name in the Search Box and all hiking columns appear.  Once the new trails open you will be afforded excellent views of Upper Bushman Lake and a cedar-tamarack swamp habitat. Kudos to Oakland County Parks for their efforts and a job well done!

Snow and cold made for a mosquito free work environment!

Way up north? No, just northern Independence Township. Upper Bushman Lake in distance.

Remnants of last year's senstive ferns protude above the snow near the boardwalk.

Michael Donnellon, Chief of Park Facilities, Maintenance & Development points out the crossing point at the tip of Upper Bushman Lake at the Brandon and Independence Twp Line near Oakhill Road.