A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 20th to mark the beginning of construction on the Boardman Lake Trail east project. This trail project will extend from Hull Park near the Traverse Area District Library to Medalie Park off South Airport Road. Comstock Construction is the contractor for the project and the expected project end-date is in September.

The project is funded by a MDNR Natural Resources Trust Fund grant and local funds from the City of Traverse City, Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County and TART Trails.

Most of the trail is on private property and trail easements were generously donated from many adjacent property owners.

This project demonstrates significant partnerships among private property owners, governmental agencies and TART coming together with a common goal: to build a trail around Boardman Lake.

TART plans to continue to work with the local units of government to raise money, support and interest in completing the trail-loop around the lake. Future Boardman Lake Trail projects will most likely occur in phases. We will be sure to keep our TART family informed as we progress.

In the picture (from left to right) Senator Jason Allen, TART Director Bob Otwell, former TART board member and one of the original Boardman Lake Trail advocates Ted Okerstrom, City of Traverse City Mayor Linda Smyka and Grand Traverse County Board Chair Wayne Schmidt dig in to break ground for the Boardman Lake Trail.

posted 07/20/2005