04 Apr Trail update: Charlevoix – Traverse City Trail
April 2018 (Map here)
Planners for the Charlevoix to Traverse City Trail (CHX – TC Trail) have an ambitious goal to connect two regional trail networks that link the communities of Traverse City, Acme, Elk Rapids, Eastport, Norwood and Charlevoix with over 300 miles of existing trails from Alpena to Suttons Bay. This requires combining what trail users want with suitable land and road right-of-ways that can support a non-motorized recreation and transportation trail. The trail will pass through beautiful scenery and provide access to 24 public amenities including parks, beaches, natural areas, communities, and other destinations along the US-31 corridor. The project builds on the vision of more than a decade of community groups working to make trail connections.
TOMTC is working in cooperation with TART (Traverse Area Regional Trails) to advocate for development of this trail. TART is researching a route for the trail on the southern end, north from Acme; while TOMTC has a goal to push for development of a ten-mile segment of the trail at the northernmost end, through Fisherman’s Island State Park (FISP).
The first step in developing the trail through FISP involves preliminary engineering, which is estimated to cost $100,000. Michigan Department of Natural Resources has committed to funding half of this cost. Last fall, TOMTC was awarded a grant of $10,000 by the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, and we recently received a donation of $10,000 from 4Front Credit Union, to be applied to this engineering cost. We are in the process of seeking the rest of the funds needed to match the money committed by MDNR.
Our Charlevoix – Traverse City Trail committee feels strongly that completion of this long segment of trail through the park will provide a momentum for development of the rest of this important connector trail. Watch for future developments!
TOMTC Executive Director Jeff Winegard and Board President Luther Kurtz serve on the Chx – TC Trail planning committee.