Recreational trails and their impact on our region

The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is one of the newer trails in the system. The 10 mile trail connects Glen Arbor to Empire and was a successful collaboration involving the U.S. Park Service, TART Trails, Inc, the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, MDOT, and Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.  The next phase of the trail is scheduled to be completed next summer and will run between Glen Arbor and Port Oneida.

 

Led by 5 staff and 13 volunteer board members, TART Trails mission is to enrich the Traverse area by providing a network of trails, bikeways and pedestrian ways; and encouraging their use.  TART Trails, Inc is involved with many aspects of the trail system including signage, maintenance, construction, grooming, and advocacy and outreach.  Funding comes from private donors.  Volunteers invest over 2000 hours per year maintaining the trail system.

 

Cycle Tourism is important to the local economy generating over $5,500,000 of economic activity in the Grand Traverse Region.  The trails are used by both recreational cyclists as well as those who rely on their bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.  Another benefit of a vibrant trail system is attracting a quality workforce to our area.  Young job seekers have options on where to live and often choose areas that have natural beauty and convenient walking and biking trails.

 

Currently the TART system does not include any trails in Benzie County.  Julie mentioned that Benzie is on the "radar screen" for expanding the trail network.