04 Feb Kewadin Community Gets Nakwema Trailway Update

Trails Council Executive Director Brent Bolin joined TART Trails representatives last week for a Nakwema Trailway update in Kewadin.

Nakwema will connect Charlevoix with Traverse City along the U.S. 31 corridor. When complete, The Trailway will traverse through Traverse City, Acme, Elk Rapids, Eastport, Norwood, and Charlevoix.

TART Trails and Top of Michigan Trails Council, in cooperation with local and state governments, are collaborating to close the 45+ mile gap between the Little Traverse Wheelway in Charlevoix and the TART Trails’ networks in Acme.

This project has already logged a number of developments, particularly on the south end. On the north end, partners are developing the schematic design of the trail, with the goal of creating an accessible route from Charlevoix to Fisherman’s Island State Park.

The Michigan DNR’s ongoing park study, which includes evaluating the main road and entrance location, has put trail planning on hold for now.

In the meantime, the DNR applied for funding to support the development of the Nakwema Trailway at the north end of the park. Project partners are exploring improvements between Bells Bay Road, the Lake to Lake Trail, and downtown Charlevoix. Trail developers are working to finalize an alignment that fits within the values and timelines of various area partners.

About 75 people heard last week’s update. Click here to see the 75-minute presentation. A pass-code (sT@1DhC=) is required.

The meeting revolved around an Alternatives Analysis conducted by engineers at the Spicer Group. Their mission was to determine the safest route from Elk Rapids Township to Torch Lake Township with the fewest number of U.S. 31 crossings. As trail building partners apply for federal funding opportunities, it is necessary to have ample data and justification for which side of the corridor the trail is constructed on.

Spicer Group analyzed the U.S. 31 corridor from the southern limits of Milton Township at the intersection of 31 and Winters Road to the northern limits of Torch Lake Township at the intersection of 31 and Old Dixie Highway. They evaluated existing conditions using the following criteria: feasibility, trail safety, recreational experience, property impact, and cost considerations.

The Alternatives Analysis determined that the trail is most feasible on the east side of U.S. 31 from Elk Rapids to M-88. The trail will then cross to the west side near the 31/M-88 intersection and continue north to Old Dixie Highway.

The Alternatives Analysis was informed by the presence of Critical Dunes on the west side, the necessity of multiple U.S. 31 crossings on the west side, and the extent of property easements that would be required along the west side.

To learn more generally about the trail development process, click here.