Happy Thursday TARTans,

Memorial Day weekend marks the informal start of summer up north. For those of us who live in and around Traverse City all year long, we know this means there will soon be a noticeable uptick of folks around town and on the trails. It's also a time we welcome back old friends who spend their summers here and love it with a passion. From the very strange year we find ourselves emerging from, for some this all may feel a little unsettling. But there's another perspective I've been able to find - that's a strong feeling of joy. I attribute most of that to my time spent outside. The summerlike weather these past few weeks has gotten me out in the garden, walking around the neighborhood, and spending unexpected and unscheduled time with friends we bump into while out and about and on the trails. Running and riding the trails and reconnecting with friends along the way has been quite delightful. As we all make our way forward into summer, I look forward to sharing space and smiles with friends and family, strangers and visitors, as we all get out and enjoy this special place we call home. Be safe, be happy, be well.

With gratitude,

Julie Clark, Executive Director

NEWS TO KNOW

Registration is OPEN! The 27th Annual Smart Commute Week takes place June 7 - 11. The week consists of free daily breakfasts and smart commute incentives that promote cycling, walking, taking the bus, and carpooling. New this year - all breakfasts will be grab and go options for smart commuters and challenge participants. As always, registration is totally free. Rally your teammates (or go solo!), pump up those bike tires, get those BATA passes, and start planning out your smart commute routes now. Register and check out the full schedule of events here. 

Calling All Green Thumbs
The recent spring showers sure are bringing the flowers and it has us excited for an upcoming landscaping project. Phase I, construction of the TART Transformation Project, has wrapped up and we're ready for Phase II which includes an art installation and landscaping. We're looking for a dozen or so helping hands to prep beds and plant on June 11 and 12. Contact Kate Lewis if you're interested and available to help with this exciting project. Any day, shift, or time you can contribute is greatly appreciated. More info and landscaping plans available here.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT


 

Hello, fun! A great tagline to be shared along the trail. Our friends at Pedego Traverse City are getting more people on bikes. And more people on bikes is a good thing.

Dan Marsh of Pedego recently shared, “Pedego Traverse City is proud to support TART Trails. As long-term trail users, we’ve witnessed TART Trails grow and develop into one of our area's greatest community assets. It’s awesome to see our trail system utilized and enjoyed by so many varied users. People not only recreating, but accessing the TART system for commuting as well”.

Thanks for the support Pedego Traverse City! And thanks for helping us spread the word about proper trail etiquette, to be kind and practice courtesy, caution, and control in the saddle and on the trails.

EVENTS AROUND THE BEND

TART TRIVIA

Did you know that black bears will leave the forest and travel many miles to seek food, entering back gardens and campsites? They have an exceptional sense of smell, leading them to seek out food items in rubbish bins and outdoor storage facilities. They are also perfectly capable of breaking into cars!

It's that time of year and there have been multiple recent black bear sightings on the Vasa Pathway and Bartlett Rd trailhead areas. Please use caution when traveling through these areas and know before you go! For more black bear tidbits, check out the video below (an oldie but a goodie) brought to you by our friends at the Michigan DNR.