Invitation to Trail Planning Partnership

multi-use trail (photo from Michigan DNR)

a news release of Michigan.gov

If your community could benefit from improved access to and maintenance of local trails or waterways, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University want to hear from you.

Now in its fifth year, this DNR-MSU partnership allows students from the MSU Department of Community Sustainability’s Trail Building, Law and Policy course to help five Michigan communities with their trail-planning efforts.

As part of the class, the students work with community leaders to identify their trail needs and priorities. The resulting student-crafted plans identify potential improvements and provide a framework for future development of a community’s local trails or waterways. Previous cohorts of the class have planned trail systems for communities that include:
• The city of Sault Ste. Marie (Chippewa County)
• The village of Cassopolis (Cass County)
• Calhoun County
• Clearwater Township (Kalkaska County)
• The city and township of Charlevoix (Charlevoix County)

“This course has been a revelation and inspiration for many of my students in helping to understand the details of the trail-planning process, and how their efforts can contribute to a more vibrant trail system in a community,” said Bob Wilson, the course’s instructor. “Students get real-world experience out of the classroom and often open career opportunities for themselves.”

Interested municipality leaders who would like to be considered for involvement in the spring 2027 project should contact the DNR’s statewide trails coordinator, Tim Novak, at NovakT8@michigan.gov. Space in the program fills quickly, and the DNR and MSU will work with interested communities to determine whether a project is a good fit for the upcoming course.

See Michgan DNR


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Natural Resources Trust Fund is 50 Years Old

a news release of Michigan.gov

These are numbers worth celebrating! For 50 years, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has granted nearly $1.4 billion to state and local units of government, across 3,000-plus allocations, to expand recreation opportunities for Michigan residents and visitors.

Established in 1976, the Trust Fund – long described as one of those great ideas that comes about every generation or two – is funded through interest and earnings on funds derived from the revenues of state-owned oil, gas and minerals. Those dollars help purchase public lands for natural resources conservation and outdoor recreation, as well as provide funding for public outdoor recreation development projects.


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Hess Preserve Expands

Hess Nature Preserve (photo from Headwaters Conservancy)

from M-Live

Hess Nature Preserve on Lake Huron in Presque Isle County, Michigan, has expanded from 12 acres to 213 acres! This growth protects a Michigan imperiled coastal fen, wooded dune-and-swale habitat and an additional 450 feet of shoreline from future development.

Headwaters Land Conservancy has been working toward this for five years. The acquisition came in the form of three separate purchases which are all connected. The total cost has not been disclosed.

The preserve is home to state threatened Houghton's goldenrod.

Boundary signs will be installed, and hiking trails are planned.

See Headwaters Conservancy


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Boardwalk on Little Traverse Wheelway to Reopen

closed boardwalk (photo Charlevoix County)

from M-Live

In November of 2025, a scenic boardwalk section of the Little Traverse Wheelway was closed due to structural concerns with the foundation. The boardwalk was 30 years old.

The Charlevoix County, Michigan, section is 0.6 mile long, and repairs are due to be completed by November of 2026.

The county is picking up the $700,000 cost, and the new structure is projected to last 50 years. The construction bid was approved this week.

See Little Traverse Wheelway


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Area Near Pere Marquette River Opened to Public

Pere Marquette River flats (photo by jhy)

from Mason County Press

The area on the north side of the Pere Marquette River, south of Ludington, Michigan, where Conrad road meets Pere Marquette Highway (old US 31) has for many years been the location of a waterfowl viewing platform.

That platform will remain in place and an additional 51 acres of land (mostly cattail marsh) will now be open to the public.

The Michigan DNR has amended the land use which had restricted people from entering. The land was donated to the state by Ducks Unlimited in 1987. No restrictions were placed on the deed. No one seems to have a clear answer as to why it was closed to the public. The best surmise is that a discharge point from the Ludington sewage treatment plant presented a health hazard. However, that discharge point was decomissioned almost 10 years ago.

When a check of the deed showed no restrictions, the DNR rescinded the closure. Technically, the parking area and viewing platform have been in the restricted zone for decades. If the restrictions had been found to be valid, these amenities would need to be removed.

The area, including the north channel of the Pere Marquette River, are now legally open for public use.

See Pere Marquette River Flats


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Northland Drive Tunnel Under Construction

Northland Drive tunnel installation (photo from Plainfield Charter Township)

a news release of Plainfield Charter Township

Construction/installation of a pedestrian tunnel under Northland Drive in Plainfield Township, Kent County, Michigan is underway.

The Kent County project will eventually lead to a six-day closure of Northland Drive near Rogue River Road/7 Mile Road. However, traffic flows will remain as they are for the next few weeks. A firm date for that closure is not yet set.

When the full closure happens, project managers for the county say crews will work around the clock to make the traffic disruption as short as possible. The posted detour route will be Cannonsburg Road to Myers Lake Avenue to Belding Road. A temporary traffic signal will be in place at the Cannonsburg Road and Myers Lake Avenue intersection.

Once complete, the Northland Drive pedestrian tunnel will connect the South Rogue River Trail to a section of the Grand River Greenway along Cannonsburg Road, which will be completed next spring. This connection will bridge a 23-mile stretch between Millennium Park and Lowell and bring West Michigan communities even closer to the Grand River through a unified system of parks and trails

See Plainfield Township info


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Dragon Trail Installs Rescue Boxes

rescue stations at the Dragon (photo from West Michigan Mountain Bikers)

a news release of West Michigan Mountain Bikers

On August 18, “Rescue Boxes” were installed on all the kiosks around the Dragon Trail in Newaygo and Mecosta Counties, Michigan. Tools, tire levers, an air pump and of course a First Aid Kit. Hope you never need it!

West Michigan Mountain bikers are trying all the time to improve your experiences at the Dragon! They've recently mowed areas, cut back briars and cleared big sand pits that developed in the drains.

All segments of the Dragon Trail are open, a loop that is about 45 miles long.

See The Dragon Trail


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Petoskey to Go to Trial for Miracle Mile Easement

photo of the washout at the time of the event (photo from City of Petoskey)

from Bridge Michigan

The fate of the Little Traverse Wheelway that has been washed out since 2020, known as the "Miracle Mile" is still not settled.

Property owners, Gustav and Courtney Lo, sued the city for lack of maintenance on the easement and requested the easement be revoked and the property rights returned to them.

But Petoskey will fight to keep public access to the section of trail that runs from Harbor Springs to Petoskey. The council decided Tuesday at a special meeting to reject a settlement agreement for a lawsuit that could have put trail access at risk.

They will take the issue to trial. If the city loses in court, they might need to repair the section-- with a potential $20 million cost-- on a timeline determined by the court. But the city believes their risk of losing the lawsuit is minimal.

If the city wins, they will retain the easement and will be able to do the repairs on their own timeline, probably determined by fundraising due to the high cost of stabilization of the right of way.

Several portions of the 26-mile Little Traverse Wheelway — of which the Miracle Mile is a part — run through private property that the public is allowed to access through easement agreements. An eroded section collapsed in 2020 and has remained closed since.

See Petoskey Moves to Preserve Little Traverse Wheelway
See Interlochen Public Radio article


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73K Acres, Mt Arvon Protected in UP

Michigamee Highlands view (photo from Michigan DNR)

from Michigan DNR

This is obviously not in west Michigan, but it is huge news for state recreation, protecting an important landmark.

The Michigan DNR has secured a $20 million conservation easement to permanently protect 73,000 acres in the Michigamme Highlands, guaranteeing public access to the Upper Peninsula wilderness and the summit of Mt. Arvon. Mt. Arvon is the traditional high point of the state, although recent surveys suggest that Mt. Curwood is inches higher.

The summit of Mt. Arvon will never be logged, preserving it to become old growth forest. The remainder of the acres will be managed for sustainable forestry. Michigamme Highlands includes more than 37 miles of rivers, 220 miles of perennial and intermittent streams, 96 ponds and lakes and over 13,600 acres of wetlands.

Lyme Timber, owner, says this conservation easement protects the land from being divided – it can not be parceled off and sold away in small tracts.

The conservation easement will ensure permanent public recreational access to these lands for hunting, fishing, kayaking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, designated ORV use, camping and hiking. The property shares 70 miles of border with state and federal lands.

See info and map


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Watch for Spring Lake Trail Excavation

utility excavation on Spring Lake Trail (photo from Spring Lake Township)

a news release of Spring Lake Township

Work is cruising along on the new multi-use trail on Hickory Street, from Fruitport Road to 148th Ave.

As part of this project, utility pipes will be laid beneath the trail, requiring considerable excavating as the path is cut.

What's to come: An 8' wide nonmotorized pathway on the south side of the road, with pedestrian crossings at Fruitport Road and 148th Avenue. Project includes ditch filling, storm sewer installation, tree removal, and driveway crossings. Construction is anticipated to take approximately 4 weeks. Work will generally be conducted between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday.

See Spring Lake Township Non-Motorized trail plan


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DNR Announces Federal Grants for Tree Planting

young trees (photo from Michigan DNR)

a news release of Michigan DNR

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program is a federally funded program providing technical, educational and grant assistance to communities, nonprofits, educational institutions and tribes to build capacity for managing trees and forests in communities throughout the state.

“Trees are essential community infrastructure, and this grant program helps extend their many benefits to more Michigan communities,” said Kerry Gray, DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program grant specialist.

Trees play an essential role in improving the quality of life for Michigan residents. They boost air quality, cool our communities, lower energy costs and help manage stormwater. Trees also support the mental and physical well‑being of people who enjoy their shade and beauty, contributing to healthier, more resilient communities across the state.

The grants were awarded to 15 communities and organizations benefiting more than 1.5 million Michigan residents. The grantees will collectively plant and care for more than 1,200 trees, create inventories of city trees and develop plans to sustainably manage over 2,000 public trees.

The following projects in west and central Michigan received money:
• City of Albion: $75,000 for street tree planting, care and maintenance.
• City of Benton Harbor: $75,000 for street tree planting, care and maintenance.
• Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy: $75,000 for public tree planting and care.
• Village of Shelby: $20,345 to complete a public tree inventory and management plan to guide tree planting and maintenance activities in the village.
• City of Three Rivers: $75,000 for public tree planting and care to replace trees lost to the spring 2026 tornado.

See full news release


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Sparta Land Swap Will Create Trailhead

Sparta land being swapped (photo from Sparta Informed)

from Sparta Informed

The Village of Sparta, Michigan, has secured public access to more than 100 acres of parkland along the Rogue River through a property swap with a local business owner that will cost taxpayers nothing.

The Rogue River Park has long sought a way to create a trailhead with better services including a rest room and public river access. When the private owner of the property expressed an interest in buying the former ambulance building on Garner Street, the village suggested a swap.

The 101-acre property has sat vacant for 30 years and includes a large wetland area that supports the Rogue River. Property owner Chad Momber is paying an additional balance to the village for the larger building. The property already has a small building and parking area which can be easily repurposed for the trailhead.

Village Manager Jim Lower said the access may be open to the public as early as this fall.

See Fox 17 article


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