Public Input Welcome for Non-Motorized Trails- Calhoun County

Battle Creek Linear Park (photo from Battle Creek Parks)

if you like this article, click the Blip chiclet!
from Suzann Flowers

Trail Talk in Calhoun County

Where do you want to see Trails, Bike Lanes and Non-Motorized facilities in Calhoun County? Give your input at a public meeting on Thursday November 12, 2009 from 6:30-8:30pm. This event is free and open to the public. The event will be held at the City of Marshall Public Service Building 900 S. Marshall Ave., Marshall, MI 49068

At this meeting attendees will accomplish the following:
1.Create a vision of connected trails in southwest Michigan.
2.Discuss the prioritization of projects.
3.Test the usability of the existing Southwest Michigan bike map.

This public input meeting will contribute to the progress of the 9-county Non-Motorized Transportation Plan for Southwest Michigan. The 9-county plan will be utilized by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), local officials and advocacy groups to prioritize non-motorized investments in the region and will provide a vision for a non-motorized transportation network that will be used to secure private and governmental funding for implementation. Plan development is being funded by MDOT.

The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (SWMPC) is facilitating and writing the 9-county plan with assistance from the Southwest Michigan Alliance for Recreation Trails (SMART). The SWMPC is working with several partners to develop the plan, including Calhoun County Road Commission, Fort Custer Horse Friends Association, the North Country Trail Chief Noonday Chapter, the Calhoun County Trailway Alliance, and the City of Marshall along with many others.

Let’s work together to create a connected non-motorized trail system!

See Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
Contact Suzann Flowers
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Allegan County Parks Suffer Under Cool Summer

covered walkway at New Richmond Bridge Park (photo from the Holland Sentinel, used under Creative Commons license)

based on a news article in the Holland Sentinel

The covered walkway at the New Richmond Bridge Park in Manlius Township, near Holland, Michigan is nearly complete. The covered walkway was required by CSX railroad to protect people from falling stones and other items from the bridge. It is just one of the many improvements at the park, yet work is proceeding slowly because of the wet summer. The boat launch is being paved and a new handicapped accessible dock installed. Other projects include a new toilet building, five fishing piers, about 14,000 feet of boardwalk on both sides of the river and interpretive signs. But the boat launch area has been underwater most of the summer.

Some of the park system woes are financial. Four of the five Allegan County Parks (Dumont Lake, Gun Lake, Littlejohn Lake and West Side) charge a $5 entry fee, Fridays through Sundays, and on holidays in the summer. The cool weather has meant that there have been fewer visitors in the parks, and thus lower revenues.

Kevin Ricco, director of Allegan County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, looked out his window to a weekend of gray skies and drizzle. He noted that most people just don't want to come outside to play in such weather. This is bad news for park improvements, since half of the funds collected go into the parks' capital fund.

The most popular Allegan County Park is Dumont Lake. The design of the park has a lot to do with that, Ricco said. "Parents can see all the key parts of the park — playground, lakefront, bathrooms — from one central point. They don’t have to chase their kids around to keep an eye on them."

See Allegan County Parks and Recreation
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Baldwin Rotary Helps Build Sterling Marsh Boardwalk

completed boardwalk

by JHY

Today the Baldwin Rotary Club showed up in force to help build another section of raised boardwalk in Sterling Marsh on the North Country Trail. This section of trail, in Lake County, has long been a problem area for hikers because of the high water table. One could expect muddy boots most any time, and the potential for needing to wade very real in spring through early summer.

So far this summer the Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association has built 436 feet of boardwalk which now stretch into the marsh, beckoning people to explore the area. This section was funded through the National Park Service.

digging post holes

The process of building a boardwalk of this type begins with digging a lot of holes! The posts need to be set firmly, but it takes a lot of muscle power and time to put in two holes every eight feet. Having all the help from the Rotary Club members was great. The goal today was to get a good start on an additional 112 feet of boardwalk which is being funded by the Forest Service.

cutting boards

Thanks to a purchase funded by the Park Service last year, the chapter now owns a small generator. This allows projects like this to be accomplished much more easily than with hand tools. Boards can be cut on site, and the generator is small enough to carry to the boardwalk sections so that power drivers can be used to screw the boards down. Trail Work Coordinator, Ed Chappel, quickly cut the decking to length.

laying out the stringers

By the time I had to leave, the boardwalk was taking shape. The stringers were being put in place, and all the wood had been carried to the location. I suspect that enough people stayed long enough to nearly complete the additional 112 feet today. Whatever is not done today will be finished by the regular "seniors" work group.

In addition to the boardwalk work, a number of people worked hard to rehabilitate sections of trail which are high enough to be dry. The trail here is very old, and has become entrenched. Using McCleods and Pulaskis, special hand tools, this small army improved the treadway to make it more level and encourage proper water drainage.

Many thanks to the people who turned out today to help make Sterling Marsh an appealing place to hike, rather than a nasty challenge!

See Getting Sterling Marsh Out of the Mud

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Traverse Area VASA—NCT—KART Trail Connections

representatives from the NCTA, DNR, TART, KART, and Senator Carl Levin

from the Grand Traverse Hikers, Sept 2009 newsletter

On Saturday June 6, National Trails Day, a large group of people gathered at Guernsey Lake and celebrated the opening of the new trail segment connecting the VASA Trail in Acme to the KART Trail system in Kalkaska.

It is now possible to hike from the VASA Trailhead in Acme all the way to rejoin the NCT northeast of Kalkaska. This involves using the VASA Trail to the Big Rock on its eastern section and then proceeding east across Williamsburg Road to join the NCT in the Sand Lakes Quiet Area. Following the blue/white or white/blue metal signs, depending on which way one is walking, the NCT is the dominant trail all the way into the Kalkaska Fairgrounds area. At this location it joins the KART Trail System, then moves east on side streets, and eventually crosses US 131 & CR 612. As you enter the Log Lake area (camping is permitted), the NCT heads northeast finally uniting with the existing NCT/SST system.

This trail has been blazed with signage at key road crossings. It does need mileage signs.

See Tart System Map (not all new connections are shown)
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Transportation Enhancements for West Michigan

from a news release of the State of Michigan

Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. has announced that 27 Michigan counties will receive a total of $47.3 million in transportation enhancement (TE) funding. 22 of the projects are funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). Included in the projects are 176 miles of bicycle paths, lighting, landscaping, crosswalks and more. The projects should create or retain 1300 jobs over the 2009-2010 seasons.

West Michigan projects are:

• Allegan County: The city of Wayland will streetscape West Superior Street from US-131 to Church Street.
• Antrim County: The village of Mancelona will streetscape US-131 from 220 feet north of Dale Avenue to 225 feet south of Division Street.
• Calhoun County: MDOT will install native plantings at the I-94/I-69 interchange along the roadside, in the interchange and next to Bear Creek.
• Cheboygan County: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will make improvements to 5 miles of trail surface and construct a trailhead in Mackinaw City.
• Eaton County: MDOT will streetscape M-50/M-99 (Main Street) from State Street to Canal Street in Eaton Rapids.
• Kalamazoo County (two projects): The city of Portage will construct 10-foot shared-use non-motorized extensions to the Northwest Portage Bikeway to connect to both the Millenium and the Portage Creek Bicentennial trails. AND The Kalamazoo County Road Commission, in partnership with the city of Kalamazoo, will construct five miles of bike path from the Riverview Drive/Mosel Avenue intersection to the north along the Kalamazoo River and Westnedge Avenue, ending on D Avenue 200 feet east of the Kalamazoo River. This project is the next phase of a planned continuation of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail.
• Kent County (four projects): The city of Grand Rapids will make streetscape improvements in the Southtown neighborhood of southeast Grand Rapids. AND In conjunction with the M-21 bridge replacement over the Grand River in Ada Township, MDOT will expand the bridge deck 14 feet to accommodate a bicycle and pedestrian path. AND The village of Sparta will streetscape the Central Business District to promote slower traffic, generate a friendlier downtown atmosphere, and allow for safe, non-motorized travel. AND The Kent County Road Commission will partner with the cities of Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, Wyoming and Byron Township to reconstruct 6.2 miles of the Kent Trail network.
• Van Buren and Kalamazoo Counties: The Van Buren County Road Commission, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, will resurface 18 miles of the Kal-Haven State Trail using recycled materials
• Wexford County: MDOT, in cooperation with the city of Cadillac, will provide streetscape improvements including streetlights, trees and planters along the US-131 Business Route (Mitchell Street) in the downtown area.

See Breakdown of stimulus projects
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North Bank Trail on Track in Sping Lake Township

based on a news article in the Muskegon News, "Paved path on course for upgrade, " by Terry Judd, April 11, 2009

Since 2007, the Friends of the North Bank Greenway Trail have been working hard to make use of the old Grand Trunk rail line between Grand Haven and Coopersville. It looks like that dream may soon begin to be realized.

The Ottawa County Planning Commission approved a resolution in October 2007 to look into trail plans. Last month, Spring Lake Township officials applied for a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to build the first 1.5 miles of the trail. Eventually the North Bank Trail would be 18 miles long and would link the existing Spring Lake Village Lakeside Trail with the Musketawa Trail (which connects Marne and Muskegon).

The first mile would run from Fruitport Road east to 144th Avenue. Although short the section would be attractive, with a raised berm above a wetland. Negotiations with property owners will be required to continue the next section. A side path would connect Lloyd's Bayou Drive to the North Bank Trail allowing access to Lloyd's Bayou Senior Apartments, Orchard Market and Burger King.

In 1976 the Grand Trunk Railroad shut down the Coopersville-Grand Haven line and removed the tracks. The townships of Spring Lake, Crockery and Polkton still own much of the right of way, but portions have been sold. Still, some people have hoped to see it used as a trail since the beginning, and three years ago the Friends of the North Bank Greenway Trail officially formed.

The West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition is handling donations to the project.

See West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition
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High Country Pathway Bridges Reopen

High Country Pathway- click for larger image

a news release of the Michigan DNR

The Department of Natural Resources today announced the two footbridges that service the High Country Pathway in the Pigeon River Country State Forest have been repaired and are now open just in time for spring hiking.

The repaired footbridges are over the Black River, located in Charlton Township North, Section 1, Otsego County, and over the Pigeon River located in Nunda Township, Section 16, Cheboygan County. These repairs were funded with $35,453 from the State's Recreation Improvement Fund.

The 3.7-mile temporary detour around the Black River footbridge and the 7.5-mile temporary detour for the Pigeon River footbridge will be removed, and users can now use the original trail route and bridge crossings.

Users are reminded that the North Spur of the Shore to Shore Trail is closed to mountain bike use in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Mountain bike use was previously allowed on the detour, but now that repairs are complete mountain bike restrictions have resumed. The High Country Pathway loop is open to bicycles.

See Pigeon River Country Association
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More Than Just a Trolley in Petoskey

from an article in the Petoskey News-Review, "City officials excited about passage of railway legislation", by Noah Fowler, Dec 23, 2008

Last week, the Michigan House passed SB 1536 unanimously. So who cares? Petoskey cares. Walkers and bikers care. The newly passed legislation will allow the City of Petoskey to purchase a downtown rail corridor from MDOT. Now the bill just needs Granholm's signature.

Significant work on the project has already been done, and city manager George Korthauer said he believes the process will be able to move quickly once the bill is signed.

“The city and state will have to come to some agreement on an appraised value and then begin process to acquire it,” said Korthauer.

A spokesman for MDOT said the state organization is aware of the importance of this property to the local community, but does not have a specific timetable set.

The purchase will make it possible to reinstate the downtown trolley, but a walking and biking path will run the length of the linear space from the Zipp Building at the corner of Petoskey and Grove streets to Bay View.

“It’s all part of a vision using the trolley as a tourist attraction and as a way to take people from parking into town,” said Smith. “This adds a linkage and it will make it easier for someone in Bay View to stroll into downtown.”
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North Country Trail Re-Opened Near Highbridge

structure in place to support the new bridge photo Ed Chappel

by Joan H. Young

Four dedicated men worked for 14 hours to repair the North Country Trail near Highbridge (south of Brethren, Michigan). Although more help might have been nice, the small crew realized that given the terrain there was no where that additional people could have been used.

The terrain in this section is extremely steep as the banks slope down to the Manistee River. Several springs seep from the hillside but usually flow only in springtime. However this summer was extremely wet, and the springs continued their work, undermining the trail. The unfortunate result was that a 16-foot section of trail slumped off and disappeared down the slope. There was no way to get around this area and the trail had to be temporarily closed.

Working with the Forest Service the Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association has built a bridge to span the damaged area.

Trail work coordinator, Ed Chappel, says that the uprights had to be sunk to a depth of 4 feet to reach a solid foundation on which to base the new structure. Stringers of 4x6 were bolted together for a total length of about 40 feet. Wood was let down by ropes from the top of the bank. The decking had to be brought down by hand in bundles, requiring 27 trips.

The crew reports using the chapter's new generator to supply power to the project. This allowed them to continue to work long after battery-powered tools would have given out. The generator was purchased with Challenge Cost Share money from the National Park Service. The cost of the bridge itself was paid for by the Spirit of the Woods Chapter.

Such efforts by volunteers in cooperation with agencies such as the National Park Service, and National Forest Service are the magic that keep hiking trails open for our enjoyment.

See North Country Trail Closed Near Highbridge
See Spirit of the Woods Chapter NCTA
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Naperala Receives Jim Mudgett Award from TART

Dick Naperala receives the Jim Mudgett Award (photo from TART)

by Joan H. Young

Dick Naperala is a quiet force for trails in the Traverse City area. He was recently honored by the TART (Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation) Trails for his years of service.

Dick is a founding member of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club, which is also a chapter of the North Country Trail Association. For 15 years he has worked on maintaining over 90 miles of trails near Traverse City.

He is a member of the VASA Trail grooming team, rising early on snowy mornings to prepare the trail for skiers.

People often do not understand how much work behind the scenes is required to put a section of trail on the ground. Dick is one of those individuals who know how to work with agencies to find solutions. He has worked hard with the Michigan DNR to reroute the North Country Trail off the Shore to Shore horse trail. The new route connects Muncie Lakes Pathway with the Sand Lakes Quiet Area.

More recently he has been part of the team which planned and is working to complete another NCT reroute off roads along Hodenpyl Dam pond, with the cooperation and permission of Consumer’s Energy. See North Country Trail Bridge Built near Hodenpyl

Another ongoing project will connect the VASA system to the NCT, and link through to the city of Kalkaska. This will link Traverse City with the NCT, and thus to New York and North Dakota.

It has been my personal pleasure to work with Dick on some of these projects. Although a volunteer his professional attitude goes a long way toward building relationships with agency personnel.

Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation established the Jim Mudgett Award five years ago to honor individuals who have shown both leadership and passion for local trails. When he died in 2004, TART desired to preserve his memory and honor those who follow in his footsteps. Jim Mudgett was a founding member of the TART Trails Board of Directors, and was active with the Leelanau Trail, and Vasa Pathway. He not only promoted healthy living, but even used the trails to commute to work. The award itself is a framed print of pink lady slipper, taken by Mudgett on the Leelanau Trail.

Previous recipients are: Dave Monstrey, George Lombard, June Thaden, Ted Okerstrom, Lois Bahle, and Tim Brick.

See Traverse City Trails
See Grand Traverse Hiking Club
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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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Newaygo Birch Grove Loop Trail Dedicated

Nine-mile trail loop offers scenic detour

The new Birch Grove trail is a nine-mile loop off the North Country Trail that allows hikers to enjoy the freedom to walk without having to backtrack or spot a second car. A shorter five- to six-mile loop also can be hiked.

The Birch Grove loop provides hikers with access to area attractions such as Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary, the NCTA Schoolhouse, which through-hikers can use as a shelter and Diamond Lake County Park. Day hikers can set out from any of a number of trailheads and return to their car. The Birch Grove route is marked with white blazes on trees. Blue blazes mark official sections of the North Country Trail. Where two blazes are found, the trail will take a turn.

The northern part of the route is scenic. The southern end of the loop runs through a former 1,017-acre Steelcase executive retreat known as Camp Swampy, which has since been acquired by The Nature Conservancy. Half of those have since been transferred to the Manistee National Forest, which expected to take possession of the rest this summer. Camping is permitted on any of the national forest lands.

"We tried to connect things of interest," said Paul Haan, of Grand Rapids, the volunteer trails manager for the Western Michigan Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. "The best features include Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary, a really nice bog on the south end of the trail, and Diamond Lake which has a public beach and people can camp there, too.

"Our intent was to create a loop big enough that people could make a short backpack of it and if it lent itself to a day hike then great."

This loop can be accessed from the Birch Grove NCTA School House. Turn west on 5 Mile Road off M-37 just north of White Cloud. Go to Felch and turn south. The schoolhouse is 0.1 mile on the left.

by Howard Meyerson
read the entire article at mLive.com- see FAIR USE notice
more about the Western Michigan Chapter NCTA
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