The completion of the Boardman Lake Trail is currently under consideration for stimulus funding. Senator Jason Allen and Representative Wayne Schmidt have been working in Lansing to raise the profile of this great project. TART has submitted this project widely, and we ask you to now voice your support for this project to decision makers.

Please compose your own message, but here are some talking points that you could use when contacting your legislator and local elected officials:

• The Boardman Lake Trail will be an eventual 5-mile non-motorized trail loop in the middle of our community. The first half of the trail has been built with state funding along with financial support from three local units of government: Grand Traverse County, City of Traverse City, and Garfield Township.
• The completed Boardman Lake Trail will be a gem right in the middle of Traverse City's trail system, and our community. The trail will be busy with cyclists, walkers, runners, and in the winter, cross-country skiers.
• Important transportation links will be created between neighborhoods, businesses, parks and civic buildings.
• The trail will be the site for many community events, walk-a-thons and more!
• The $2.8 million price tag is to complete the paving and boardwalk sections on the west side of the lake, bridge the Boardman River near South Airport Road, and complete the circle. The wood boardwalk sections tend to be labor intensive, creating more jobs than an equivalent trail or road-paving project.

Please contact decision maker's with your voice of support of the $2.8 million Boardman Lake Trail project to provide a 5-mile waterfront trail loop in the center of Traverse City (some contact information below, also contact other local, state or federal officials you may know). We believe the Boardman Lake Trail will be a legacy project for our area and will enhance community wellness now and for future generations.

The City of Traverse City is planning a April 22, 2009 (Noon) ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Boardman Trail bridge. Please put this on your calendar - maybe there will be some more good news to share!!!

Thank you for your support on this important and timely effort.

Bob
--
Bob Otwell, Executive Director
TART Trails, Inc.
415 Union St
Mailing address - PO Box 252 - Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 941-4300 bob@traversetrails.org http://www.traversetrails.org

"Enriching the Traverse area by providing an interconnected network of
trails, bikeways, and pedestrian ways; and encouraging their use."

-------------------------------
Jennifer Granholm, State of Michigan Governor
PO Box 30013 Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-3400
info@jennifergranholm.com
Senator Jason Allen
PO Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909
866-525-5637
senjallen@senate.michigan.gov

Representative Wayne Schmidt
P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-1766
WayneSchmidt@house.mi.gov
Michael Estes, City of Traverse City Mayor
1023 Nakoma Drive Traverse City MI 49686
231-929-0827
mestes@chartermi.net

Richard Thomas, Grand Traverse County Commission Chairman
4792 Lakeshore Dr. Grawn, MI 49637
231-276-9182

Chuck Korn, Garfield Township Supervisor
3848 Veterans Drive Traverse City MI 49684
231-941-1620
mailto:ckorn@garfield-twp.com