Trail Improvements Brought to You by the Community, for the Community

Greetings TARTans,
On Wednesday morning at the Grand Traverse County Commission's Board meeting, the public got its first look at funding recommendations made by the American Rescue Plan Act Advisory Committee. The Committee was formed early last year to help the County determine how to spend the influx of over $18 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. At the meeting, the Board reviewed the committee's process, methodology and recommendations totaling over $22 million in priority projects. The recommendations were based around 5 investment areas - workforce housing, childcare, critical infrastructure, healthcare systems and mental and behavioral health. We were thrilled to see two out of the three critical infrastructure projects prioritized by the Committee were centered around non-motorized transportation: a connection between LaFranier, Barlow and the Boardman Lake Loop Trail in Garfield Township and the Nakwema Trailway Deepwater Connection in Acme Township. These two projects provide critical connections and safe, comfortable and convenient access for everyone. We applaud the focus on prioritizing active transportation infrastructure. The pandemic showed us that more people want to get outside and active and the need for safe and convenient ways to move around the community. These two efforts are in line with TART's vision to make every home a trailhead and we are rooting for these two projects to make their way to the final funding recommendations. You can review the priority funding recommendations here (the presentation starts on page 329) and stay tuned for updates on the process.

Julie Clark, Chief Executive Officer

Vasa Signage Update
Wow! Check out the before and after pictures of the new wayfinding signage installed along the Vasa Pathway this fall by trail Ambassador and Vasa Groomer, Jim Dombrowski, with help from our very own Chris Kushman. This much needed facelift to the trail helps people navigate their way through the state forest year-round. In addition, the quality of the signs now match the premium quality of the Pathway. Big shout out and huge thanks to our partners at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the funding support to bring this project to life.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!
In case you missed it in your snail mailbox, our print Fall Newsletter publication dropped last week and we could not be more thrilled to share it with you. It's chock full of trail updates, inspirational trail user testimonials, and big dreams and bold plans for the future. Check out the full Fall Newsletter here!

SPECIAL THANKS

We are feeling the love and sending out some extra appreciation to the one and only Jim Dombrowski. You may know Jim D. from a myriad of roles at TART Trails over the last twenty years. From donor to volunteer, Board Member, SOM committee member, Mudgett Award recipient, Vasa Groomer and much, much more - it's folks like Jim D. who make up the heart and soul of TART Trails. What you may not know is that Jim D. continues to work behind the scenes and in the woods on the Vasa Pathway year round to continually improve its four season functionality. Thank you for all you do for trails Jim!

We're so grateful for our friends at the Up North Media Turkey Trot for not only continuing to improve and impress with an outstanding family fun turkey day tradition, but also for giving back to TART Trails since 2008! Over the past 14 years these contributions have added up to over forty thousand dollars for more trail mileage and maintenance helping our community connect with the people and places they love.

Thank you to all of this year's turkey trotters for running, walking or wobbling for a good cause!

A huge thank you to our Giving Tuesday match maker Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, our gracious and generous hosts, Silver Spruce Brewing Company, and to all those who came out or joined us online to give a gift to TART Trails this giving season. Many included in their donation kind words of how the trails impact their day to day life. That’s why we do what we do, and those sentiments serve as a reminder that your support as an individual touches the lives of many.

Cheers to a community of folks growing and maintaining this 100+ mile network of accessible trails. Thank you for helping make it happen and THANK YOU Timber Ridge!

Welcome to the newest members of our Sustainers Circle of Donors!

Marc Frick and Cynthia Smith
Marcia Hickey
Teresa Olson
Curt and Gussie Peterson
John and Jeanne VanderMeer
Roger and Karen Send

Thank you for making happy, healthy, connected communities happen.

Learn more about our Sustainers Circle here.

FUNDER & PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Thanks to funding from DALMAC and Cherry Capital Cycling Club, in partnership with Leelanau County Road Commission, you’ll now find new safety signs at all 16 road crossings on the 18-mile Leelanau Trail. Improvements like good signage help alert drivers of the presence of pedestrians and cyclists keeping everybody safe and moving. Check out this video featuring TART Trails Campaign and Development Officer, Caitlin Early, out on the trail with the whole scoop. Thank you, DALMAC and CCCC!

TART TRIVIA

Ever wonder how we collect all the fun data that tells us how many folks are taking to the trails?

Trail Counters! Specifically something called Eco Counters. There is a tower on the side of the trail with sensors that detects bodies crossing the field and there is a magnetic field created via wires that are placed in the diamond shaped cuts in the trail asphalt that detects bicycle wheels crossing the path. While some of our counts are transmitted via cell towers, we retrieve the data manually and update it to the Eco Visio counting software to analyze the data.

So yes, we are total data geeks. But there is rhyme and reason behind these counters. Are you biking? Are you walking? Leisure or training? The numbers help us share information with our partners and funders, so that we can continue to meet the non motorized, multi-use needs of our community.