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Summer Construction

On Monday, June 9, the gray drizzle off Little Traverse Bay that pressed over the crowd of dignitaries and well-wishers in Petoskey's Magnus Park failed to obscure the joyful reason for the assembly.  Shortly after noon on that day ground was broken on the remaining link to Charlevoix from Petoskey on the Little Traverse Wheelway with construction to commence soon afterwards. Previously the segment had existed as a unimproved rail corridor that for years had seen several owners either unwilling to sell their property or grant an easement to the public for an improved trail.

The dignitaries represented most of the major interests that participated in the heavy work of pursuasion and compromise that lasted several years. When the segment is finished it will replace the ugly and dangerous 1.4 mile stretch on the US 31 road shoulder with the most spectular scenery of the entire 26 mile Wheelway.  Users will be able to travel on an all-asphalt trail thirty feet or more above the waters of the bay. 

In Magnus Park, the trail will follow the old rail line in the east (Petoskey) end, move closer to the bay in the west, and finally rejoin the corridor as it leaves the park.  The segment ends at East Park in Bay Harbor where it connects to the existing Wheelway on the way to Charlevoix.  East Park is currently closed due to soil contamination but it is expected that new segment will be routed safely through the park.

The chairman of the event, Max Putters of the Wheelway Committee and TOMTC Board Member thanked the many people who had helped bring us to the groundbreaking.  He give special thanks to Bay Harbor developer David Johnson whose outright gift of 5.5 miles of trail corridor helped "jump start" trail construction between Charlevoix and Petoskey, and the Dwan and Nicols families whose cooperation in transfering their properties to the public helped assure the project's success.

Wheelway Chairman and TOMTC Board Member Fred Fettis recalled the original members of the Kiwinis Club that had first planned the path around the bay over thirty years ago before his talk was cut short by the triumph of the drizzle.

It is 16 miles from Charlevoix to Magnus Park.  With the Wheelway already finished to the Harbor Springs Airport it will mean that 23 of the 26 miles of the entire route will be complete.

Construction is expected to be completed in the fall.

The rider in the photo is traveling west from Petoskey toward Charlevoix.  The trail surface will change from rail ballast and gravel to asphalt.

Next Summer

Expected in summer, 2009 will be the construction of the remaining 3 miles of the Little Traverse Wheelway from the Harbor Springs Airport to a trailhead near the junction of Lake and Hoyt Streets on the east side of the city.  Currently the dedicated portion of the trail ends at the Little Traverse Township Park on M-119 at the airport. The new trail will cross M- 119 at the Pleasantview light and follow along the highway into town. Completion of this segment and the Resort Bluffs segment will mean that the Wheelway will at last be "built out," culminating a more than 30 year dream for advocates of the project, several of whom still labor for TOMTC.  The Wheelway, or "bike path as it is locally known, is poised to become one of the most beautiful trails in the nation. 

Gaylord-Cheboygan-Mackinaw City Rail Trail Event

On Saturday, June 7, after simultaneous ribbons in six trail towns, trail users came together in Marina Park in Indian River to dedicate the newly surfaced trail and anoint it with a new name.  Formerly the Gaylord to Mackinaw City Trail, the 62 mile ribbon will hereafter be officially known as the North Central StateTrail and will be one of the Midwest's premier all purpose recreational trails.

The 160 pre-registered celebrants were joined at the dedication by political leaders, business spokesmen, DNR and TOMTC officials, representatives of other trail groups and many other enthusiasts who gathered on a warm, sunny, and windy day to mark the event. 

TOMTC sincerely thanks all of the many people in many capacities who joined together and worked for years to make this trail happen. 

Files: Gaylord to Mackinaw Trail Map

Annual Meeting - Wednesday June 11

At the Annual Meeting on June 11, Karrie Finlayson of Petoskey thrilled and inspired more than 150 attendees with the story of her epic four month, 7,438 mile bicycle hike that took her and 54 companions from Cairo, Egypt to Capetown, South Africa. 

TOMTC salutes Karrie and thanks her for sharing her adventure with us.