24 Nov Ribbon Cutting Officially Opens Phase 3 of Boyne City-Charlevoix Trail

Sixty-five people attended the Nov. 21 ribbon cutting ceremony for Phase 3 of the Boyne City-Charlevoix Trail. The event was hosted at Horton Bay Community Church.

Charlevoix County Commissioner Bob Jess cuts the ribbon. “Finish the trail!” he said.

Guest speakers included State Representative Parker Fairbairn, Charlevoix County Planning Director Kiersten Stark, Charlevoix County business owner Paul Silva, Charlevoix County Commissioner Bob Jess, and Steve Van Dam of the Charlevoix County Trail Team.

Steve Van Dam welcome attendees and introduced Kiersten Stark, who thanked individuals and organizations who’ve donated to the trail, as well as other partners and contributors. Each group received applause.

Charlevoix County Commissioner Bob Jess, likewise, thanked supporters, but summed up his feelings. “I have three words I want to say,” said Jess. “Finish the trail!”

State Representative Parker Fairbairn addresses the crowd of about 65 trail supporters.

Paul Silva, a Charlevoix businessman who owns Blue Dot Farm & Vineyard (located on the trail) and Hotel Earl, spoke next, expressing he and his wife’s interest in finishing the trail. “Think about the commerce,” he said. “Think about the safety. Think about the health. We need to get this trail done.”

State Representative Parker Fairbairn of the 107th House District then took the floor and updated everyone on statehouse news, explaining that 2025 has been a low year for project funding. But, he pledged his support in completing the project’s final phases. “My office would be happy to help you with that,” he said. “This is a wonderful project. Northern Michigan will be better off with it.”

Steve Van Dam of the Charlevoix County Trail Team takes a turn at the mic. Van Dam said the trail is valuable to his business as a workforce development tool.

Van Dam closed the program, explaining how his Boyne City business uses local resources like trails to entice potential employees from outside the area. “Part of what we want to be able to do is represent the area we live in as a nice place to live,” he said. “Bike trails are part of that… But, we want to have a desirable community that, when we bring in employees, they say, ‘Hey, I like living here; I want to stay here. That’s one of the reasons we support the trail.”

With that, Van Dam invited all trail partners to the stage for the ribbon cutting, which was done by Bob Jess.

Workers completed Phase 3’s 2.6-mile segment in early spring. The new pavement extends from North Springwater Beach Road (the Evangeline/Bay Township line) and continues to Horton Bay.

The Charlevoix County Trail Team is taking the lead in tackling the first steps needed to complete Phases 4 and 5.

We want to thank Horton Bay Community Church for hosting this event and for their kind hospitality.