MyNorth News Service

(Press Release provided by TART)

Glen Arbor: The newest section of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (SBHT) from Fisher Road to Port Oneida Road opened today, Friday May 22 at 3:00 PM, ahead of schedule and just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The new trail segment will add about 3.5 miles to the 9.5 miles of previously completed trail.  This portion of trail includes 600 feet of boardwalk over wetlands along the west side of Westman Road and will connect users to the Port Oneida Rural Historic District.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Deputy Superintendent Tom Ulrich shared his enthusiasm for the new trail, “We are excited to have the newest section of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail open in time for Memorial Day. It offers a beautiful ride through another part of the park, and takes you over wetlands, through forests, and into historic Port Oneida. The Heritage Trail has something for everyone to enjoy – so get up, get out there, and #findyourpark!”

In 2016 trail construction will resume and the trail will continue on to CR 669 (Bohemian) and eventually all the way to Good Harbor.

Locals and tourists alike are looking forward to getting on the trail and exploring the park in a whole new way.  Matt Wiesen, owner of Crystal River Outfitters and the Cyclery knows first-hand the trail’s appeal and impact on the community. According to Wiesen, “The opening of the new portion of the Heritage Trail is very exciting for Glen Arbor.  This is yet another segment that allows us to showcase this region’s natural beauty. The Heritage Trail continues to be a wonderful asset to both residents and visitors allowing them to get back within the National Parks boundaries and recreate.  It’s exciting to see cycling continue to grow as it benefits all of the merchants in Glen Arbor and allows us to attract visitors year round!”

The public is invited to attend the official ribbon cutting for the new section of trail on June 17, 11:00am at Olsen Farm in Port Oneida.

Fundraising is still underway to complete the trail to Good Harbor. To donate or learn more about the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail please visit www.sleepingbeartrail.org or contact Pam Darling, Development Director for TART Trails (pam@traversetrails.org or 231-941-4300).

The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is a project of the Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Committee (LSHR). Trail development is a partnership between the LSHR Committee, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, and TART Trails. Funding for trail development comes from federal and state grants, foundations, and individual donations.

Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization working to enrich the region by providing a network of trails, bikeways and pedestrian ways; and encouraging their use. For more information about TART Trails, please visit www.traversetrails.org

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a unit of the National Park Service established in 1970. The Lakeshore preserves the outstanding natural and cultural heritage of the area so that all may experience and appreciate it. Significant resources of the Lakeshore include forests, beaches, dunes, and glacial landforms, as well as maritime, agricultural, and recreational historic features.

Find Your Park The National Park Service is beginning to plan its upcoming 2016 Centennial Celebration. The goal of the Centennial is to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates. To do that, the NPS is inviting everyone to “Find Your Park”! Find Your Park is a way for all of us to share the way we enjoy our parks on social media. If you are out having fun on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, you can share your photos or videos using #findyourpark, or by posting on findyourpark.com.

Photo(s) by TART Trail