Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot

The Turkey Trot is a cross-country foot race which has been held at Mott Park for 60 years as of 2016. After the golf course closed we continued the tradition. Because the area is no longer maintained in playable condition, we have been mowing a circuit around the recreation area for the past several years specifically for use during the annual Turkey Trot, which takes place on Thanksgiving Day. The Turkey Trot people mow this circuit using a small riding mower which we store for them in our maintenance barn because it allows them to mow lower for a better running surface. We use our larger Toro mower to cut a wide swath along the edges of the Turkey Trot circuit just in case the track might be too narrow at congested points on the course. Between us, we keep the course mowed throughout the year because it provides a better surface for the runners than if we just mowed it for a few days or weeks prior to the race. It also provides our park walkers and runners with a course they can use throughout the year.