Paul
Bohn, Esq.
Ever
dream of the day that you can just hop on your bicycle and ride all the way to
South Haven to spend the day on Lake Michigan? What about riding all the way to
Lambeau Field to see the Detroit Lion’s get their second win in 20+ years in
the State of Wisconsin? Well, those
dreams are quickly becoming a reality for nearly 50% of the state’s population
as the “Big 400” trail development project is underway!
The 5
Healthy Towns Foundation,
a tax-exempt private foundation for community improvement, has recently begun
fundraising efforts to develop a loop trail to connect Chelsea, Dexter,
Stockbridge, and Pinckney. Users will be able to ride, hike, or cross-country
ski through the beautiful woods, farmland, and along waterways with this new
44-mile nature trail. It is projected to cost $1 Million and the foundation is
already 1/3 of the way there.
This
loop will be tied into the existing Iron Belle Trail that runs from Belle Isle to
Ironwood, Wisconsin. It will also connected to Lakelands Trail, which stretches from Port Huron on
the east side, to South Haven on the west.
A
second project, named the Waterloo Trail, has already been put into motion. The
Potawatomi
Mountain Biking
Association has joined forces with renowned trail-builder, Spectrum
Trail Design, to
create 25 miles worth of mountain biking trails. The $500,000.00 project will
include a wide-range of trail-difficultly so that all can enjoy the thrill of
mountain biking safely within their skill-level.
Within
5 years, the hope is to connect the Waterloo Trail to the Big 400 project. Once
completed, Michigan’s non-motorized trail system will be among the best in the
nation.
To
find out more information, or to donate to their efforts, visit Hwpathways.org
or waterlootrail.org!
