Elk Rapids to Maple Bay Trail

Our initial goal has been reached, but donations are still welcome!  All funds will continue to go to the trail design/construction process!  Thank you!

We are a community-based group created to support and promote the proposed design and construction of a non-motorized trail on public land between the Village of Elk Rapids and the Maple Bay Park and Natural Area. Efforts are being made to connect existing trails in Traverse City and Charlevoix. Closing this 46 mile gap will create a 325 mile non-motorized transportation and recreation trail network in northern Lower Michigan! This trail will provide countless benefits for our area, including a safe place for families to hike, ride bicycles, and enjoy healthy outdoor recreation. It will provide bikers and hikers access to beautiful nature preserves along the way.  It also has the potential to connect people with our amazing local agriculture via farm markets, fruit stands, and more.

This fundraising effort is focusing specifically on the Elk Rapids to Maple Bay segment of the trail.  Other groups are working on the connection to Traverse City.  The success of this section of trail depends heavily on strong community support. Now is our time to get involved and take advantage of this amazing opportunity! Our goal is to build local support and awareness for the project, and to assist in raising the funds needed to keep it progressing.

The first major step in trail construction is a Preliminary Design study to determine exactly where the trail will be routed and how it will function positively for everyone. Our experienced trail building friends at TART will be assisting us with this step. In the future, more funding sources will be available, but at this point, local support is crucial! We urgently need to raise at least $5500 to support our share of the Preliminary Design process.


More information on the Traverse to Charlevoix community trail project is available here: http://www.traversecitytocharlevoixtrail.org

Follow our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ISupporttheTrail


Please donate today and spread the word to friends and neighbors!

If you prefer to give directly, we can help.  Please email us to make arrangements.

*All funds will be held in a designated bank account and 100% of proceeds will go toward trail design cost. All work thus far has been through volunteers.  

*This is a charitable donation!  Donors will receive a 510c3 exemption form from TART Trails, Inc. at the end of the campaign.