Trails in the News - Press Clipping Files

10/03/2007

Gaylord to Mackinaw Trail Open for Riding

GAYLORD — As trail surfacing and compacting from Gaylord to M-27 south of Cheboygan is finished, organizers expect the 61.3-mile multipurpose recreational trail from Gaylord to Mackinaw City to be open in October.

According to Jim Conboy, Top of Michigan Trails Council board of directors member, the initial pass through is almost complete and rideable now from Gaylord to Mullet Lake Village, north of Toppinabee.

Although the $1.9 million project is being funded through a $1.48 million federal transportation enhancement grant from the Michigan Dept. of Transportation, $370,000 from Dept. of Natural Resources and $130,000 from Top of Michigan Trails Council, the remaining funds are from local governmental units, businesses and other organizations.
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According to Conboy, who went to all the entities which are involved in the project, the following Gaylord businesses and organizations donated to the project:

• Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society (OWLS);

• Independent Bank;

• Bank of Northern Michigan; • Corwith Township;

• Livingston Township; and

• Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau.

The trail is 10 feet wide and covered with packed limestone.

“This is a surface that is compatible with all bicycle tires,” Conboy noted.

Bollards, removable posts used to discourage wheeled, motorized vehicles, will be in place during the summer.

Though the trail is not officially open, Conboy said several walkers, riders and joggers are already using it.

Like avid bike rider Joe Wambold.

“It is sweet,” said Wambold.

“To me there is nothing like it around,” he continued with enthusiasm. “All the way to Mackinaw City without any traffic — what could be better than that?”

Wambold, who recently completed a three-day, 300-mile benefit ride from Traverse City to Chelsea, stressed, “you can ride a road bike, too. It doesn’t have to be a mountain bike.”

Paul Beachnau, Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau executive director, said the various organizations involved in the project are planning to get together to create a map specifically for the bike trail. He’s excited about the project.

“I’ve been up there a number of times,” Beachnau said. “Everybody who’s been on it just raves about it.

“The trail is a great asset for our citizens and visitors.”

Contact Jil Schult at 748-4518 or jil@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

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