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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Local Couple Create Trail at Sparta Sports Complex

Tim Shelton scouting trail (photo by Katy Shelton)

from a conversation with Katy Shelton

Looking for stories to feature on this blog, I was reading about a recently created trail around the perimeter of Sparta Sports Complex, Sparta, Michigan. Imagine my surprise when scanning the article, to realize that I know the people responsible for creating this trail.

Katy and Tim Shelton, active North Country Trail hikers and volunteers, decided they wanted a trail near their home where they could get in 5K (three miles).

"We wanted to create a trail for the residents of Sparta that was nearby and easily accessible. Hopefully walking on our trail will inspire them to continue their hiking adventures and seek out other trails, farther away. They will soon discover all the neat trails that are out there for everyone to explore."

Starting two years ago in dense woods full of "pricker bushes" and undergrowth, the couple began pounding in orange stakes to determine a suitable route for the new trail. "We hammered in over 300 of them," Katy told me.

"I don't like long pants," Katy says. "That first year was brutal. We plotted a course and chopped out a trail through woods and wild raspberry bushes with LOTS of thorns and over a TON of trippable roots." Tim's trousers would be covered in sharp, prickly seed pods. Katy's legs took a real beating! But they persisted. They got help from other community volunteers, and this fall (2025) the 3.5-mile trail opened.

At first the couple carried all their tools in by wagon, but eventually the Sports Park loaned them the use of a golf cart which made the logistics much easier.

Signs are in place and locator maps will be installed. KAty explained there is currently a small detour where a river improvement project is underway, but the trail is still useable.

Katy said, "I'm working to get it on AllTrails, but that's a work on progress."

The park also features ball fields and a disc golf course.

See Sparta Sports Park
See Fox 17 news report on the project


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See Get Off The Couch