Crystal River Initiative Improves Three Sites for Both Wildlife and Paddlers

new Crystal River bridge (photo from the CRA)

a news release of Conservation Resource Alliance

Led by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) and Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA), in partnership with the Leelanau County (Michigan) Road Commission and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and supported by numerous additional project partners, the Crystal River Initiative has transformed four critical stream crossings along one of Michigan's most treasured waterways. Together, these partners have improved recreational access, restored natural river function, reconnected aquatic habitat, and strengthened cultural connections to the landscape.

For decades, aging and undersized crossings disrupted the river's natural processes and forced thousands of paddlers to portage along County Road 675. Today, those barriers have been replaced with modern, fish-friendly structures that allow the Crystal River to flow more naturally while creating a safer and more seamless experience for paddlers.

Over 15,000 paddlers recreating on the Crystal River annually have been forced to repeatedly cross a busy county road rather than go through three deteriorating culverts, known colloquially as "the Tubes." The other three sites were less constrictive, but were constantly collecting debris, degrading river habitat and also forcing paddlers to portage.

See Crystal River Initiative


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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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Palmer Woods Bicycle Trails

Events Calendar

new Palmer Woods trail (photo by Pat S.)

from Singletracks.com

It took seven years, but the full 24-mile trail system at Palmer Woods in Leelanau County, Michigan, was completed in 2025.

The Leelanau Conservancy has spent about $10 million to build these trails with ecological restoration and sustainability in mind. The money came entirely from local sources. The land was acquired from a timber company where logging had taken place for 40 years. The Conservancy purchased the 1,155 acres which is surrounded on three sides by Sleeping Bear Dunes.

The forest will be preserved and the majority of the trails are dedicated to mountain biking. It's being hailed as one of the best singletrack bike trails in Michigan.

The bicycle trails are machine-built, and range from beginner loops to "white knuckle" as described by Justin Simpson, Director of Progressive Trails for West Michigan Mountain Biking Association. The intermediate trails are mostly one way, with the direction of travel alternating on successive days.

Caleb Garone, Land Steward for the Leelanau Conservancy, says "the Lion’s Mane Trail has a lot of really interesting dirt jump shapes. There’s [been] quite a bit of rock added for some downhill kickers."

Separate trails for hiking and cross-country skiing have also been built, ensuring that no user group's expectations will be compromised. The Conservancy emphasises that there is a strong commitment to ecological sustainability and diversity.

See maps at the Leelanau Conservancy


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Where Those Recreation Passport Dollars Go

Events Calendar

concept drawing of Diggins Hill Sensory playground in Cadillac, one of the funded projects (from City of Cadillac)

a news release of Michigan DNR

The Recreation Passport replaced the DNR’s traditional annual motor vehicle permit for state park access in 2010 with a purchase program tied to the renewal of license plate registrations. The Recreation Passport is a $14 annual pass required for access to 103 state parks and recreation areas, more than 140 state forest campgrounds, Michigan historic sites, hundreds of boating access sites and thousands of miles of trails. The goal is boosting visitation and funding for Michigan state parks. The income also supports operations, infrastructure and historic and cultural assets in Michigan’s state parks and recreation system. Approximately 97% of funding for recreation operations and maintenance is generated from user fees including the Passport, and 11% of this comes from oil and gas revenue.

Ten percent of the proceeds from Recreation Passport sales are granted to communities across the state for development and improvement of local public recreation facilities.

Counties where funded grant projects have been approved for 2025 include Allegan, Barry, Branch, Clinton, Genesee, Ingham, Leelanau, Macomb, Muskegon, St. Clair and Wexford, five of which are in west Michigan.

Selected projects were scored and selected from a field of 57 grant applications, and a total of $22.3 million statewide has been awarded.

West Michigan recipients are:
 • Barry County- Charlton Park Boating Area Improvements- $150,000
 • Wexford County- Diggins Hill Sensory Playground- $127,800
 • Allegan County, City of Saugatuck- Village Square Park Improvements- $150,000
 • Muskegon County, Fruitland Township- Accessible Pathways for Nestrom Park- $82,300
 • Leelanau County, Suttons Bay Township- Herman Park Playground Project- $105,000

“The Recreation Passport remains one of the best values in outdoor recreation anywhere in the United States,” said DNR Director Scott Bowen. “Beyond providing annual public access to dozens of state parks, trailheads, state forest campgrounds and boating access sites, 10% of the proceeds from each $14 Recreation Passport help fund state park improvements and maintenance and grants to communities for additional local park improvement projects.”

See full list of 2025 Recreation Passport Grant recipients


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Trees Planted at Ingraham Preserve

Cedar River Preserve (photo from their website)

compiled from various sources

Last week, the stewardship team planted 200 trees at the Ingraham Preserve, mulching them for moisture and caging them for protection. This work, done in partnership with the Conservation Resource Alliance, was the Conservancy's final tree planting utilizing funding from the 2024 Sustain Our Great Lakes program. ⁠

The Bart and Gail Ingraham Preserve is an 80-acre addition to the Cedar River Preserve. In 2023, the 1.3-mile Ridgeline Trail opened, the first dry land access to one of the wildest places left in Leelanau. At the top, you can see sweeping views of the Solon Swamp, the Cedar River, and South Lake Leelanau.

The preserve is located northwest of Traverse City in the Leelanaw Peninsula.

See Cedar River Natural Area


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Another Failed Sugarloaf Revival?

unused lift at Sugarloaf Resort (photo from abandonedbutnotforgotten.com)

compiled from several sources

It appears that yet another attempt to revive the Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Leelanau County, MI, has failed.

Most recently, Eneliko "Sean" Smith of Las Vegas has just bowed out of a proposed $10 million deal to refurbish the property and actually open some hotel rooms by mid-summer 2010. He also stated that he would have the resort ready for skiing by November.

Owner Kate Wickstrom wants a large sum of money upfront to pass the property to Smith, and Smith counters that this is unreasonable. Smith claims that he made more progress toward reviving the property than any previous purchaser. He reports that he was discussing a lease of the ski hills, had interest from hotel brands, and that the U.S. Tennis Association was interested in restoring the indoor courts. However, late this summer, Smith announced that he was pulling out of the project.

Everyone agrees that the amount of money that would be required to put the area back into operation is immense. The property has not been in service for ten years.

Locals still have hope. Several web sites support the concept, and there is a Facebook group "Friends of Sugar Loaf."

See Sugar Loaf Needs Tooth Fairy
See Smith Pulls Sugarloaf Bid
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Tunnel at Sleeping Bear?

Pierre Stocking Scenic Drive dune (photo from Visit Sleeping Bear)

based on a news article in the Traverse City Record Eagle, "Park officials eye tunnel, boardwalk," by Brian McGillivary, July 3, 2009

The steep dune from the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore can pose a threat to visitors who misjudge its difficulty. Ignoring posted signs, people leave the boardwalk and descend the 450 foot sand and gravel cliff to the lake. Many of them need help returning to the top and their vehicles. Rangers regularly have to aid visitors who have become injured, exhausted, overheated, or lost from trying to find less strenuous ways back to the top.

Also, erosion of the dun itself is becoming a serious problem as grass is trampled, and paths funnel winds into unnatural locations.

The National Park Service has paid JJR Consulting firm of Ann Arbor, $60,000 for an environmental assessment. The resulting report offers four alternatives for consideration.

The one favored by Sleeping Bear officials is to construct a 150-foot tunnel through the top of the dune to a new elevated platform. This would be coupled with several elevated boardwalks. Construction costs are estimated between $750,000 and $1 million.

This would keep visitors from ever touching the sand. Some see this as the best alternative to protect the park, while others feel that it runs counter to everything that a National Park should be. "There are a lot of activities in our national parks that involve some danger, but I think it's really neat when people go out and use the park instead of standing there on a platform and looking at it like it's a postcard," said a retired ranger.

And there is no guarantee that hikers won't simply find ways to avoid the tunnel and walk out to the dune anyway. Park Superintendent Dusty Shultz will make the final decision.

See Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Under Evaluation
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Sutton's Bay Ice Rink In Great Condition

Jeff Dailey of Suttons Bay Township and his son Jackson skate (photo from the Leelanau News)

based on a news article of the Leelanau News, "Smooth skating," by Eric Carlson, Feb 1, 2009

The Sutton's Bay ice rink at Broadway and Lincoln Streets is in the best condition anyone has seen in years. Jeff Dailey laced up his skates, took a spin, and came back impressed.

“Whoever is taking care of the ice rink this winter is doing a really beautiful job,” said Dailey as the Suttons Bay Township father was spending a little time last week showing his 5-year-old son, Jackson, how to slap a hockey puck around.

The property is owned by Suttons Bay Township. Except for the winter months it is the site of a weekly farmer’s market.

The unseasonably low temperatures are creating good ice conditions at many outdoor rinks. But local volunteers Chris Gauden and municipal workers have been paying special attention to the Sutton's Bay rink. Local hockey enthusiasts asked the township to ready the "ice rink park" as soon as possible this year. Gauden said that he would help with maintenance.

The township partnered with the Village of Suttons Bay’s Department of Public Works to flood the park using water from fire hydrants, and plow snow from the rink as necessary, using the village’s plow trucks. Gauden says, "I love to see it get used and have enjoyed it myself more than once ... I love to skate with the kids! I wouldn’t have enjoyed the success I have had if it weren’t for the help of many other people, including students at Suttons Bay Schools. It’s good to get such a cross section of our community involved.” Leelanau Township reports better-than-usual success this year with its rink at Braman Hill Park. There is also a rink at Hancock Park, and an area of South Bar Lake in Empire Township is kept clear for skating. Ongoing snow removal is often the most time consuming and labor intensive task.

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Sugar Loaf- Still Waiting for a Comeback

skier at Sugar Loaf photo from Leelanau.com

from a news release of LeelanauNews.com, "Offers to buy 'Loaf' revealed," by Eric Carlson, Jan 4, 2009

Sugar Loaf Resort has continued to deteriorate since it closed in March 2000. Located in Leelanau County, it was an important piece of the area's winter economy. Since then there have been many rumors of deals, but the future remains uncertain.

In 2005, Leelanau County native Kate Wickstrom bought the resort. But now, a real estate agent has said that the mortgage is held by a bank. Wickstrom's mortgage was held by a corporation controlled by the wife of Remo Polselli who was convicted of felony tax evasion.

The real estate agent stated that he approached Wickstrom 18 months ago with a potential buyer. After negotiations began the process was broken off by Wickstrom.

“Nobody really understands Wickstrom’s relationship with the bank or the people behind the mortgage,” Reed said. “But it’s clear that the person to deal with these days is not Kate Wickstrom.”

None of the parties seemed to be available for comment on why an offer to purchase the resort, made several weeks ago, was turned down. The value of the resort continues to decline from the $6.8 million paid for it in 2005.

See the original article for much more on the legal, economic, and political tangle surrounding Sugar Loaf.

“In some economies, it might not make sense for a county government to get too deeply involved in something like this,” County Commissioner David Shiflett said. “But we’re not in a normal economy right now – and now may be the right time for the county to help spearhead an effort to revive Sugar Loaf.”

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Sleeping Bear Heritage Trailway

based on an article in the Leelanau Enterprise, "Heritage Trailway proposal outlined," Sep 16, 2008

The article Sleeping Bear Proposes More Rec Opportunities mentioned a 27-mile, multi-use trail to possibly be built near M-22. This article gives additional details.

Representatives of the National Park Service and the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments are proposing the Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Trailway. The trail would begin at Manning Road at Leelanau County’s southern border with Benzie County and extend north along M-22, M-109 and through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as far north as Good Harbor Trail (County Road 651) in Centerville Township.

Open houses were held throughout October 2008 to inform the public concerning the plan. The Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route project got under way in 2001 under the auspices of the Michigan Department of Transportation. A county scenic heritage route committee consisting of representatives from 12 municipalities along the M-22 corridor in Leelanau County meets monthly to oversee a Scenic Heritage Route plan. One of the priorities in that plan includes creation of a non-motorized trailway through the National Lakeshore.

Patty O’Donnell, of the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, told the Empire Township Board that the heritage route committee had secured a $250,000 federal grant to design and engineer the first phase of the trail. Tentatively, the first phase could include a trail from the Dune Climb in the national park to the unincorporated village of Glen Arbor via M-109. One alternative calls for the trail to use part of an historic narrow gauge railroad bed built by D.H. Day to move lumber from forested areas north to the dock at Glen Haven.

Empire Township Board members appeared to be generally pleased with what they heard from O’Donnell this week. In Cleveland Township, however, board members and members of the public expressed some concerns about what they were hearing from Barb and Lee Jameson.

Several alternative routes are being proposed. Not all local residents are pleased with some of these alternatives. the path would deviate from the M-22 right of way at Narada Lake where a boardwalk will be necessary and could provide opportunities for a wildlife viewing platform. In addition, a bridge would be required to take the trail across Shetland Creek near M-22. A Cleveland Township trustee noted that the portion of M-22 paralleling Little Traverse Lake is already a “difficult and dangerous” stretch of road. He asserted that adding a trailway past homes and business in that area would only make the corridor more dangerous.

The trail will not be located on any of the land proposed to be placed in official wilderness status. Mechanized use of any kind is prohibited in wilderness. Multi-use paths are generally 10 feet wide with 2-foot shoulders. It may be paved or have a crushed limestone surface. Plans call for the trail to be constructed in phases over several years.

See the Trailway Plan and Environmental Assessment at NPS / Sleeping Bear
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From Premature Death to a Permanent Legacy

The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its charm if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor

Jeff Lamont (right), before his death, is shown with his older brother, Mike. photo- Leelanau Enterprise

"A young man’s death to cancer was used as inspiration to create a permanent legacy for his life through the preservation of 40 acres near Christmas Cove and its deliverance to the Leelanau Conservancy.

Jeff Lamont’s nearly 6-year battle with cancer was drawing to a conclusion late last summer when the Conservancy received a call from his mother, Bridget Lamont. One of her son’s dying wishes was to make a contribution to the Conservancy’s Leelanau Preservers program. Jeff held on for three more weeks of life ... "

finish the story at the Leelanau Enterprise - see FAIR USE notice.
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Landscape Students Dream of Northport Pathway

Northport and Omena, Michigan in the Leelanau Peninsula, invited students from the Michigan State University’s School of Landscape Architecture and Design to create conceptual drawings of how those villages might look in the future.

Sixty-six people attended a public input session to consider those concepts. One of the more popular and feasible designs was to develop a hiking and biking pathway from Northport to the Braman Hill Recreational Area, a distance of about half a mile. The village owns all of that property, so building a pathway there is a real possibility.

Students were told to create designs with no cost limitation- to dream big. The designs can be viewed at the Leelanau Township Community Foundation web site (see link below). The files are large and take a while to load. They include:

• New Course: improvement of steetscapes and pedestrian access throughout the village
• Mystic Northport: includes pathways, boardwalks, other streetscapes and elements on the waterfront, and a connection to Braman Hill
• Fresh Air: parks, gardens, and an in-town trail system
• Navigationg Northport: Upgrades to downtown, the marina, Mill Pond, more bike pathways, and a series of winding trails connecting to Braman Hill
• Effects: streetscapes, revitalized buildings, marina improvements, and another option to connect to Braman Hill via boardwalks

The Small Town Design program in East Lansing will put together a final plan that will be unveiled on May 20. Paul Rothaug, a member of the foundation's future design committee, said that they will see how the ideas might be implemented. They will begin by focusing on one topic, such as the walkway to Braman Hill, and hold a public meeting to discuss how it could be built.

The next meeting with these final design presentations will be held at Northport School on May 20, 2008.

from the Leelanau Enterprise, "Ideas for Northport's future shared", Jan 22, 2008
See Leelanau Township Community Foundation
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Leelanau Parks Waiting to See the Cash

The good news has been that Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund money has been awarded for the purchase of land for the Herman Park (see Plan to Raise $2M for Herman Park, Suttons Bay), and Veronica Valley (see Veronica Valley Purchase- Leelanau Commission Votes Yes). The bad news is that Leelanau County is still waiting to receive the funds. This wait puts a strain on the families who are waiting to sell, because they must continue to pay the taxes on the land.

It is to the credit of both families, the Hermans and Bill and Diane Grant, that they have stong feelings that the properties be converted to parks and not sold for development.

The total amount of the two grants, $994,200 toward the purchase of a total of 219 acres, was announced in December of 2006. The county has yet to receive a single cent of that amount. The DNR blames the legislature, and the legislature blames the governor.

"We just know that the Herman family has been very patient, and we're hoping that they'll hang in there with us a little while longer," said Deb Slocombe, the chair of Suttons Bay Township's parks and recreation committee. "We've never been able to figure out exactly why this process has been taking so long."

read the full article at the Leelanau Enterprise, "Families still await state funds for parks", Jan 6, 2008
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Veronica Valley Purchase- Leelanau Commission Votes Yes

The Leelanau County Planning Commission has recommended that the county continue to pursue its plan to purchase the former Veronica Valley Golf Course for use as a county park - but not without some red flags being raised by commission members.

Comments from commissioners opposing the purchase sais that it will cost taxpayers too much money, and that the loss of tax revenue has not been taken into account.

Following a lengthy and sometimes contentious discussion, the Leelanau County Planning Commission voted 8-1 in favor of a motion to pursue purchase of the Veronica Valley property.

The 93-acre Veronica Valley property belongs to William and Diane Grant, who developed and operated a golf course on the site between 1991 and 2004. In 2004, they offered to sell their property to Leelanau County for use as a park for $800,000 – but stipulated that it must not be used as a golf course.

Current plans call for the Veronica Valley property to be used for a variety of "passive" recreational purposes – hiking, picnicking, nature viewing and the like. The recreational park is planned to have a fairly low maintenance budget with limited mowing, woodchip paths, elevated boardwalks, and viewing platforms.

The agreement from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund commits the county to complete the acquisition project no later than October 31, 2008. The $600,000 grant is a reimbursement which means the county needs to expend funds first, and then request a reimbursement through the grant agreement.

The Veronica Valley property is located in Bingham Township, Leelanau County, along County Road 641 (Lake Leelanau Drive) and Maple Valley Road.

read the full article in the Leelanau Enterprise, "Land purchase plan for park advances", by Eric Carlson, Dec 27, 2007- see FAIR USE notice.
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Leelanau County Township Receives $5000 DEQ Grant

Bingham Township has received word through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality that it will receive a $5,000 grant to develop plans for the improvement of the township's Hendryx and Boughy parks on West Grand Traverse Bay.

The chairman of the township’s parks and recreation committee, Robert Walton, said his committee had considered bids from engineering firms to prepare site plans for the parks, and recommended that the Traverse City firm Gosling-Czubak be selected.

Township officials came under fire from DEQ and Army Corps of Engineers officials last year for “improving” Hendryx Park below the ordinary high water mark without the appropriate permits in violation of state and federal laws. The issue was one of the factors that led to the recall early this year of township supervisor Robert Foster who authorized the work without discussing it with the rest of the township board.

Acting at its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, the Bingham Township Board authorized clerk Peggy Core to sign a contract with Gosling-Czubak subject to the availability of grant funding and a final review of the contract by the township attorney.

Parks and recreation committee member Kathy Heil noted during Monday’s meeting that completion of site plans for the waterfront parks will put the township in a position to apply for additional grant funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that will help pay for actual improvements at the parks.

from the Leelanau Enterprise, "Grant to aid 2 Bingham parks", Dec 21, 2007- see FAIR USE notice
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