TRAVERSE CITY- (June 24, 2003) Traverse Area Recreation & Transportation Trails (TART Trails) announced the beginning of the public portion of their Pathways to the Future campaign this morning at Hull Park along the Boardman Lake Trail. This project started over two years ago with a feasibility study to gauge public interest in funding improvements to our trail system. Over the past year, our Board and Campaign Cabinet, comprised of over 40 volunteers, have been working diligently to fund several critical identified needs. The campaign aims to fund an advancement plan to build additional community trails and upgrade and maintain the existing trail system. This campaign represents TART’s first major private fundraising effort to augment government grants to expand our trails.
Following are project-specific goals and objectives:
1. Connect the TART Trail and the Leelanau Trail to remove the existing 2000-foot section that has 17 commercial driveways and puts users right on state highway M-22. This project is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2003.
2. Extend TART Trail easterly towards Williamsburg, connect TART Trail and Vasa Pathway by improving Bunker Hill shoulders. These projects are scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2003.
3. Develop the east side of the Boardman Lake Trail. This project is scheduled to begin Fall 2003. A second grant will be secured to extend the trail around the northwest corner of the lake.
4. Pave the trailhead and an additional 2.4 miles of the Leelanau Trail near Suttons Bay to provide a multi-use trail for northern Leelanau County residents. Build parking area and provide privacy screenings in Bingham Township. This project is scheduled to begin in the Summer of 2003.
5. Upgrade and maintain existing trails. Purchase equipment to provide summer maintenance to the Leelanau Trail and the Vasa Pathway. Improve way finding and signage system wide.
6. Eliminate the debt remaining from the purchase of land for the Leelanau Trail. The land will be permanently preserved as a greenway corridor.
Campaign Chair, Lois Bahle, addressed the press conference; 'We have raised over 65% of our goal of $1 million. It is an exciting time for TART Trails. Once we complete the projects identified in Pathways to the Future, our trail network will become one of the premiere systems in the state.'
Major donations have come from Traverse City Light and Power, Rotary Charities of Traverse City, and Team Elmer’s. Linda Kreft, former Traverse City Light & Power Board President and current Board member, stated during TCLP’s grant award 'We are happy to support the TART Trails Capital Campaign. Trails are used by everyone, from families with young children to seniors who are out to enjoy our lovely area. I can't imagine any other facility that has such a positive affect on more area residents than our local trails."
Rotary Director Marsha Smith announced Rotary’s recent support for the campaign; "We have supported TART Trails from the beginning and are happy to support this current campaign. The TART Trail system is accessible to everyone in our community, and meets many of Rotary Charities priorities, including the environment, families and recreation.'
Further support from the campaign came from John E. Pelizzari, President & CEO, Fifth Third Bank when the bank awarded a gift in support of the campaign 'The history of commitment to first-rate trail development on the part of TART, as well as to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, is a commitment to be applauded. The fact that this trail system serves everyone who may want to use it is an important reason we wanted to be a part of this. As a longtime partner of this community, we appreciate those groups and projects that have a similar dedication and concern for the welfare of our community.'
A tabletop model of a donor recognition sculpture was unveiled. TART wants to properly thank donors so the idea of a sculpture along the trail was born. The sculpture was created by local artist Verna Bartnick and depicts a parent teaching a child to ride a bicycle. TART is planning to commission a full size sculpture to place along the bay front TART Trail.
Tom Auer, Special Gifts Chair, announced at the press conference that $652,000 has been raised to support the Pathways to the Future projects. Auer applauded the support of the community. 'It is an affirmation to the value of the trails in the community. I encourage many trail users to help support this campaign,' Auer adds. Many foundations, organizations, businesses and private individuals have already contributed to the capital campaign, but in order to complete all of the projects, TART needs to raise $1 million.
This project will make a difference in our community. Trails are used by young and old, are free and open all of the time, and provide transportation, recreation and health opportunities for our community. Pathways to the Future offers an opportunity for our community to support a project to upgrade a trail network that is already beloved and cherished in the community. You can help us down the pathway by making a tax-deductible donation today. Help us leave a legacy for future generations.
For more information on the Pathways to the Future campaign, contact Bob Otwell at TART Trails, 941-4300.
TART Trails, Inc. is a network of four trail systems located in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties utilized by thousands of people who walk, bike, run, in-line skate, cross-country ski and commute. TART Trails connects us to people, to communities, and to our past. The four trails include the Boardman Lake Trail, Leelanau Trail, TART Trail, and Vasa Pathway. The TART trails combine to form 50 miles of recreation and transportation pathways spanning from Suttons Bay to Acme Township. It is estimated that the trails serve over 50,000 local residents each year while preserving valuable community greenspace.
posted 06/24/2003