Northwest Michigan Regional Non-Motorized Strategy

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has identified northwest Michigan as an area ready to develop non-motorized transportation possibilities. They seek development of a comprehensive plan and identification of priority projects.

In other words, MDOT wants to help build and connect trails. Trails as transportation corridors can include uses such as hiking, bicycling, skiing, rollerblading, horseback riding, etc. Not all trails have to be multi-use, but they must be non-motorized to be included in this plan. The pool of funds available to build trails requires that the trails funded have connections which allow them to serve as transportation corridors. For example, children might use this path to walk or ride bikes to school. Another valid transportation use is that of connecting villages for tourism.

In July, Patty O'Donnell, the Regional Planner for the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG), met on separate occasions with representatives from Manistee, Mason and Lake Counties. At each meeting the individuals pored over a large county map which showed available trails. People were then encouraged to wield colored markers and use their imaginations to dream and mark up the map with a wish list of non-motorized trail connections.

There were 12 local representatives, mostly from the various townships, who participated in the Mason County meeting. High on their wish list was extension of the Hart-Montague Rail Trail to Ludington, and making it possible to bicycle safely from downtown Ludington to Scottville, and to West Shore Community College. Mason County Administrator Fabian Knizacky commented, "It was a meeting to gather info from people on where they would like to see non-motorized trails in the future."

At the Lake County meeting District 6 Commissioner, Jim Clark, and Les Russell of the Manistee National Forest dreamed of providing more trails within the National Forest, and extending the Pere Marquette Rail Trail of Mid-Michigan west from Baldwin.

The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments will take this information and prepare for and host educational meetings with the public to document interest in these projects. It will then prepare for and facilitate a regional Trails Summit.

The NWMCOG includes Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelenau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford Counties.

Funding for projects will come from Transportation Enhancement money (TE). These funds are now known as SAFETEA-LU, which stands for "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users." Not all trail projects are eligible to use these funds, but many are. Transportation Enhancements fund a diverse collection of transportation-related community projects. Half of TE funding ($300 million a year since 1991 when it began) have been used for trails and pedestrian and bicycling facilities.

Better use of this resource would enhance recreation throughout the area.

Sources: handout provided at the meeting, personal attendance at two of the meetings, American Hiking Society
Author: Joan H. Young
Headline: Northwest Michigan Regional NonMotorized Strategy