Frank Noverr's daughter, Sara Harding, celebrates TART Trails' success of completing her family's challenge with Julie and Pam.

We are pleased to announce successful completion of the Noverr Family Challenge match. Frank Noverr and his family offered a $37,500 matching grant challenge to TART Trails for donations made to the Leelanau Trail Paving Campaign by January 27. To further motivate donors, Casey Cowell offered a $50,000 pledge if the Noverr challenge was met by the deadline. The response was impressive, as one hundred donors contributed over the ten-day period, to help reach the goal on the final day of the challenge. The total amount raised, including the Noverr Challenge match and the additional $50,000 pledge, was more than $125,000.
The Leelanau Trail capital campaign now has less than $50,000 to raise in order to reach the $500,000 project goal. This summer, the existing 6.5-mile gap between Lakeview and Revold Roads will be paved, and the trail will be extended through Suttons Bay to Dumas Road. Please call 231.941.4300 or click here to donate.

Donors of $1,000 will receive a limited edition Kaye Krapohl print, and donors of $2,500 or more will be included on the donor recognition pieces at Cherry Bend and Fourth Street trailheads.

Donors of $10,000 or more will be members of the Caboose Club, which includes recognition at the trailheads and Clinch Park as well as a limited edition Lisa Wilkins Schulte print and privileges for use of the Caboose.

Please join us for the 2012 TART Trails Snow Ball - an event to benefit the Snowy Day Fund to replace the VASA Trail groomer. Guests will enjoy wood fired brick oven pizza, delicious treats from Morsels, and a selection of local beer and wines. Cost: $50 per person  Attire: Casual - Come as you are! The event is limited to 150 people.

RSVP's due by January 18, 2012 Click here to reserve your ticket today!

Trained volunteers will clear prioritized areas of the TART Trail using a tractor with a front mounted snow blower obtained through a discounted lease agreement from John Deere Work ’n Play.  They plan to start at Cherry Bend Rd. and head south along the bay to Bunker Hill Rd. in Acme when there is snow accumulation of at least three inches.  The green tractor already caught the attention of many people in passing as it made the inaugural trip along the trail last Thursday.

Storage of the tractor is provided courtesy of Harrington’s By The Bay restaurant.  Owner Glen Harrington expressed their support by saying, “The TART Trail is in our backyard and is a benefit not only to everyone that uses it, but all of the businesses along the way.  We are very supportive of having it cleared of snow this winter”.  Other contributors include Air Way Automation, Tim & Karen Keller of Bay Home Medical & Rehab, Red Mesa Grill, DeWeese Hardware, ACE Hardware, Toy Harbor and many generous individuals.

The goal of TART Trails’ snow removal initiative is to maintain a trail network for year round transportation and recreation.  Fundraising efforts continue to fund fuel and routine maintenance costs.  Please contact Lee Maynard at Lee@traversetrails.org for more information, or visit TART Trails’ website to donate to the snow removal initiative (www.traversetrails.org).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Arianne Whittaker, Marketing & Outreach Director for TART Trails, Inc.

Arianne@traversetrails.org or (231) 941-4300

TART Trails Helps Clear the Way

TRAVERSE CITY – This winter, Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails, Inc. is spearheading a program to remove snow along the TART Trail as a supplement to the City’s snow removal.  With the clearing of the trail, more people will enjoy walking, running and bicycling outdoors through the winter.  This initiative is the result of passionate volunteers and designated donations from individuals and businesses.

Trained volunteers will clear prioritized areas of the TART Trail using a tractor with a front mounted snow blower obtained through a discounted lease agreement from John Deere Work ’n Play.  They plan to start at Cherry Bend Rd. and head south along the bay to Bunker Hill Rd. in Acme when there is snow accumulation of at least three inches.  The green tractor already caught the attention of many people in passing as it made the inaugural trip along the trail last Thursday.

Storage of the tractor is provided courtesy of Harrington’s By The Bay restaurant.  Owner Glen Harrington expressed their support by saying, “The TART Trail is in our backyard and is a benefit not only to everyone that uses it, but all of the businesses along the way.  We are very supportive of having it cleared of snow this winter”.  Other contributors include Air Way Automation, Tim & Karen Keller of Bay Home Medical & Rehab, Red Mesa Grill, DeWeese Hardware, ACE Hardware, Toy Harbor and many generous individuals.

The goal of TART Trails’ snow removal initiative is to maintain a trail network for year round transportation and recreation.  Fundraising efforts continue to fund fuel and routine maintenance costs.  Please contact Lee Maynard at Lee@traversetrails.org for more information, or visit TART Trails’ website to donate to the snow removal initiative (www.traversetrails.org).

Mark your calendar for Winter Trails Day on Saturday, January 7th, at Timber Ridge Resort from 11am to 2pm.  Winter Trails Day is a nationwide event that offers children and adults new to snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing free. You must pre-register online to be eligible for free equipment use and rentals. Ski lessons and snowshoe hikes start at 11.30 am, and are available on a first come-first served basis. Equipment rentals may be picked up at Timber Ridge on the morning of the event starting at 10am, for use at Timber Ridge until 2pm. Due to limited equipment sizing, we cannot guarantee that all pre-registered participants will get equipment to use, so we encourage you to bring your own equipment if you have it. Registration will be open until noon on Friday, January 6th.

http://www.utopiafound.org/gifts/help-pave-leelanau-trail

Thanks to dedicated volunteers, efforts are also underway to remove snow along the TART Trail between the bridges.  TART's effort will supplement the work that the City already does to clear trails within the city limits. We have several sponsorship opportunities (starting at just $25) to help fund additional shovels, sand, a tractor, maintenance and fuel costs. If you would like more information on the project, or would like to support snow removal on the trail, please contact our Trail Planning and Program Director, Lee Maynard (lee@traversetrails.org or 231.941.4300).