Popular Boardman Trail seeks expansion south
Public meeting June 28 to discuss grade separated South Airport Rd crossing
The 2.5-mile Boardman Lake Trail, that currently stretches from the north end of Boardman Lake in Traverse City to Medalie Park/Logan’s Landing on the lake’s southeast corner, is looking to continue its reach into the Boardman River valley. For over 30 years, a trail encircling Boardman Lake and extending down and along the Boardman River has been a dream for Ted Okerstrom. Ted’s dream has been one of Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails’ goals since he joined the organization when TART Trails, Inc. was founded.
A Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program grant has been awarded to the Grand Traverse County Road Commission and TART to fund a feasibility study to evaluate the various ways a grade separated crossing of South Airport Road might be made and how much it will cost. The first public meeting will be held at the Garfield Township Hall (3848 Veterans Drive) at 6:00 p.m. on June 28. A historical overview of the project will be provided and Gosling Czubak, the project consultants, will present initial findings.
“With the completion of the east Boardman Lake Trail, the purchase of riverfront property south of South Airport Road by Garfield Township, and improvements to the Grand Traverse County Nature Education Reserve, the one significant gap in this important regional trail is the safe crossing of South Airport Road,” states Okerstrom. “With this grant, we will explore the idea of a tunnel under South Airport Road and a bridge system over the waterway,” continued Okerstrom.
The trail will connect downtown Traverse City residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, and skiers to the Grand Traverse County’s athletic fields, Nature Education Reserve and the Boardman River valley. The Boardman Lake Trail may be accessed from Traverse City’s Old Town Neighborhood at the end of 10th Street (through Oryana Natural Food Coop’s parking lot) or at two trailheads that are located at Hull Park (Woodmere/Hannah Ave) and Medalie Park (off South Airport Rd near Logan’s Landing). Find out more information about trails in Traverse City at www.traversetrails.org