Sugarloaf Now Owned by Leelanau Conservancy

Sugar Loaf (photo from the Leelanau Conservancy)

from Leelanau Conservancy

The transfer of Sugar Loaf to the Leelanau Conservancy is officially complete, marking a historic milestone in a community-driven effort to permanently protect this beloved local landscape.

For generations, Sugar Loaf has inspired awe, adventure, and deep local pride. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation, donors, partners, and supporters, the mountain will now be stewarded for the benefit of the community and the natural environment forever.

The Conservancy’s long-term vision for Sugar Loaf includes a well designed trail network for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country and backcountry skiing, along with universal access features, scenic viewpoints, and family-friendly spaces. Plans also include ecological restoration work to protect native species and reduce erosion.

Sugar Loaf is not yet open to the public

See more at Leelanau Conservancy


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Sleeping Bear Named Among Best Unique Beaches

Sleeping Bear dune (photo from NPS)

compiled from several sources

TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards has ranked Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Empire, Michigan) among the top five unique beaches in the United States. It was placed at number four overall.

The 450-foot dunes rising from Lake Michigan helped the lakeshore place as it did. The rankings are based on TripAdvisor reviews over the previous year. This award recognizes locations that offer something beyond the typical sun and sand. The dramatic golden dunes and their contrast with the surprisingly tropical-blue water was a winner with visitors.

“This ranking validates what we locals already know — Sleeping Bear Dunes is an iconic example of Pure Michigan," said Laura Ann Johnson, Executive Director, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

The opportunities for adventure also helped the scoring.

TripAdvisor has about eight million listings, and fewer than one percent of them ever make a "Best Of..." list.

The three beaches ranking higher than Sleeping Bear for this year were Boulders Beach Penguin Colony – South Africa, Isola Bella – Sicily, Italy, and Bamburgh Beach – United Kingdom.

Of course, West Michigan regulars know that Sleeping Bear offers much more than dunes. There are miles of forested trails, water activities, scenic drives and more.

See Parade


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Michigan Outdoor Economic Growth Slow in 2024

Trap Hills in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (photo by jhy)

from Bridge Michigan

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis has released data from 2024 on the outdoor industry. Outdoor recreation in Michigan added $15.1 billion to the economy, an increase of over one billion from 2023. Although there was growth, it lags behind 35 other state's rate of increase of 4%.

Brad Garmon, executive director of the state’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, said, “One thing about Michigan’s outdoor recreation economy is it’s really diverse. In some ways, that means that we don’t grow as fast as some other states that see a big upswing.”

Since it takes time to collect and process data, these figures from 2024 do not reflect the most recent season. A good snow year suggests that figures for 2025 will look better.

Garmon also stated that slow, steady growth is probably better than volatile peaks and valleys. Michigan ranked in the top 20 states in most categories of outdoor recreaton. Approximately 125,000 jobs are generated in the state from outdoor recerational pursuits.

See the full article with several graphs at Michigan lags US in outdoor economy growth


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Final Phase Boyne City- Charlevoix Trail Proceeds

Boyne City- Charlevoix Trail (photo from Top of Michigan Trails Council)

from the Boyne Citizen

Phases 4 and 5 of the Boyne City-to-Charlevoix bike and pedestrian trail are coming into focus for completion.

The trail has been in progress for over ten years. A new round of fundraising is being launched to begin the engineering work for the final stretch. 93% of the total trail has been funded, and filling in the final gap is critical to the economic success of the trail.

Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Charlevoix County Trail Team are partnering to lead the project. The first goal is $50,000 for the design and engineering portion of this phase. Possible routes will be identified, a conceptual design created and potential problems addressed.

Finding additional volunteers to assist with the project is also deemed critical.

See more and a map at Top of Michigan Trails Council


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Boyne City May Get Skate Park

proposed Boyne City skate park (graphic from city of Boyne City)

from the Boyne Citizen

A long-planned community skate park in Boyne City, Michigan, has moved one step closer to becoming a reality. City commissioners have unanimously approved a grant application from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for $376,000.

If the grant is approved, this would provide the largest portion of funds raised to date. The amount would cover most of what is needed to complete the park. Trust Fund grants have to be matched with 25% local funding. This is already raised by the non-profit skate park organization

No money will come from the city budget. However, the city will help maintain the park, once constructed.

City Manager Sam Demel called the park “a great asset for the community.” It will be built at Rotary Park at Boyne City. There is currently no skateboard facility in the city.


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Watch for Elk on the Move

Elk Crossing (photo from MDOT)

a news release of Michigan DOT

Elk are on the move in the northern Lower Peninsula!

You may notice some electronic message boards along I-75 in the Vanderbilt (Otsego County) area warning of elk crossings. According to the DNR, the elk have shifted their typical spring migration routes further north of where current permanent elk crossing warning signs are posted (those signs will be adjusted accordingly later in the spring).

Also, please don't stop your vehicle on the freeway to take pictures of any elk you may see.

See Threads.com


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Benzie County Residents Fight Cell Tower

Benzie County cell tower (photo credit unclear)

compiled from several sources

Residents in Crystal Lake Township (Benzie County, Michigan) are challenging a November 2025 ruling that upheld the construction of a 199-foot cell tower near Bellows Park. Residents filed a motion to reconsider, arguing the court made significant legal errors regarding zoning permits for the APC Towers project.

Arguments center on land use, potential deed violations from 1938, and a contentious zoning review process.

The city of Frankfort built the tower on land they were deeded in Crystal Lake Township. A November 1938 deed to the city of Frankfort specifies the property is to be used for public use. And an additional 1948 deed states that the public use is "in perpetuity," or forever.

The township's zoning board of appeals said since the city owns the land, the township can't enforce their rules. The decision will be ruled on by the court.

Nearby homeowners are strongly protesting the tower. The great-grandson of the original donor said his relatives must be "spinning in their graves." He would like to see the tower removed and a few hiking trails added.

See more at UpNorth Live


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Pedestrian Bridge at Traverse City SP Being Removed

graphic rendering of new at-grade crossing (photo by Illustrated Archetecture)

a news release of Michigan DNR

Signal installation at Traverse City State Park entrance begins in early March; motorists should expect single-lane closures

As part of an $8.5 million enhancement project at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park, in early March crews will begin installing a new traffic signal at the relocated U.S. 31 campground entrance.

During the traffic light installation, motorists on U.S. 31 should anticipate intermittent single-lane closures. Additionally, pedestrians should expect temporary sidewalk restrictions.

The project is anticipated to take two weeks. Digital message boards will be posted one week before construction starts.

Once installed, the traffic signal will operate in flashing mode for up to one month before becoming fully active in late April. The pedestrian crosswalk will remain closed until the signal is fully operational.

The traffic light installation is part of a larger project that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began in February 2025. The planned project is designed to modernize the park’s facilities, enhance visitor access and traffic flow and improve accessibility, including a redesigned park entrance, a new at-grade pedestrian crossing, a new campground contact station, a relocated park headquarters building and an expanded sanitation station. All components of the project are compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines.

The park's modern campground closed in July 2025 and will remain closed through the 2026 season. The campground will reopen April 1, 2027. The Lake Michigan beach day-use area is expected to remain open; however, visitors should anticipate occasional closures for intersection work.

See the project page, including project details and a construction timeline at Michigan.gov


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South Rogue River Trail

construction of the SRRT (photo from Plainfield Charter Township)

from MLive

Plainfield Township in Kent County, Michigan is working on a $2.2 million project. This is part of the connected trails which will go from Lake Michigan to the middle of the state named the Grand Ruver Greenway. This portion will be called the South Rogue River Trail (SRRT). “When everything is complete, you’ll have basically a continuous, 171-mile separated pedestrian trail starting in Grand Haven and going all the way to Owosso,” Ben Swayze said. Swayze is the Kent County Parks Director.

This two-mile segment runs along Rogue River Road from the White Pine Trail to the Rogue River/Kuttshill Drive intersection. A pedestrian bridge will cross the Rogue River. The bridge alone cost $880,000

Work began in mid 2025 and completion is expeced in May 2026.

Funds came from the township’s non-motorized trails and recreational areas millage fund, and Kent County will cover the cost of the bridge.

Described by the township in an October newsletter, the SRRT is “offering a safe and scenic route for walkers, runners and cyclists.”

See article at MLive


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MSU Students Connect with Communities for Trails

MSU students Trail Building, Law and Policy class (photo from MSU, )

from College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University

Students in the Trail Building, Law and Policy course in Michigan State's Department of Community Sustainability, have completed a four-year project requiring them to design a trail plan specific to the needs of communities in Michigan.

Instructor Bob Wilson, former Senior Counsel to the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental affairs committee and executive director of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, now identifies communities seeking assistance in trail planning and development. He coordinates with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and more than a dozen communities in Michigan are on a waiting list for the next semester of students.

The students help local authorities develop master trail plans, and their final project is to present a complete document to community leaders.

"The community gets the benefit of a well-done trail plan, and the students learn how their work can impact a community in terms of quality of life and access to trails," Wilson said.

In 2025, students aided the following Michigan areas: Charlevoix, Cassopolis, Sault Ste. Marie, Calhoun County and Clearwater Township.

See more at Michigan Students Partner with Communities


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Events Calendar to be Discontinued

from jhy

Sorry, folks, I can't keep up the news and the calendar. It's just too much work. I will try to highlight some of the major events that come along.


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Coopersville Fundraiser for North Bank Trail

Events Calendar

North Bank Trail (photo from TrailLink)

compiled from several sources

The former Grand Trunk Western Railroad right- of-way from Spring Lake to Marne, Michigan, is being transformed to become the North Bank Trail. A seven mile stretch from the Village of Spring Lake to a Trailhead on 112th Avenue in Nunica has been completed and provides connections to other regional trails including the Lakeside Trail in Spring Lake and the Spoonville Trail in Crockery Township. The Spoonville Trail offers access to the South Side of the Grand River where it meets up with Grand River Explorers Trail. It also links to local pathways in Spring Lake Township and Ferrysburg offering a connection to US Bike Route 35 running along Michigan’s west coast from New Buffalo to Sault Saint Marie.

Future phases of the North Bank Trail will connect Nunica to Coopersville and the Musketawa Trailhead on 8th Avenue in Marne. Ultimately the trail will be a regional link between the beaches of Lake Michigan and the Grand Rapids Metro Area.

On March 5, the city of Coopersville is hosting the Celebrate Coopersville fundraiser for their section of the trail. For $40, attendees will receive complimentary food and entertainment from Main Street Dueling Pianos. A cash bar will also be available. Raffles and a silent auction will also raise funds.

Other funds for this section have come from a Transportation Alternatives Program grant from the state of Michigan

See Friends of the North Bank Trail


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