Welcome to the Top of Michigan Trails Council Web Site!

We advocate and facilitate the development of a network of multipurpose recreational trails in northern Lower Michigan. Currently there are 288 miles of trail in our inventory of which 109 are classified as "improved," 38 are acquired right of way on which no trail yet exists, and 141 are right of ways that are "unimproved." 70 miles, from Alpena to Cheboygan which are currently "unimproved" will be surfaced in 2011. We make trails happen!

New Executive Director Hired

The Top of Michigan Trails Council has hired Jeff Winegard of Petoskey as executive director. Jeff is a native of North Canton, Ohio, and a graduate of Mount Union College of Alliance, Ohio, and Ohio Northern Law School. He also has a master’s degree in environmental policy from the University of Michigan.

Jeff has served as planned giving officer of the Nature Conservancy based in Arlington, Virginia, and director of planned giving and legal counsel for the American Farmland Trust based in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Jeff and his wife, Julie, have worked as fundraising consultants in Petoskey for a variety of clients including the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, National Park Trust, Florida Stewardship Foundation, Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation and the Manna Food Project. Jeff is also an avid runner with experience on trails across the country.

“Jeff’s experience with conservation easements and fundraising will help the Trails Council immensely in its work advocating for the development of trails in northern Michigan,” said Charlie MacInnis, president of the trails council.

“My experience working with farmers, townships and other community leaders taught me to listen and try to help with the consensus-building process,” said Jeff. “I believe trails can be a major part of the economic engine to power communities in northern Michigan. Tourism is king here and trails help give a community its identity.”

Alpena to Cheboygan Trail

Top of Michigan Trails Council has been working over the past year and a half to gain local support and financial pledges to secure 3.1 million dollars to surface the 70+ mile trail between Alpena and Cheboygan. After going to 22 units of government we have received pledges from 21 of them, all except Alpena County. This has left us $20,000 short of our goal.

Due to difficult financial time, Alpena County was not able to support the project financially (they did support it via resolution). But since that time we have received a $10,000 pledge by an Alpena County resident who asked that it be used as a challenge grant to raise the other $10,000. We are starting to get funds in for this project. If you are interested in donating, please let us know. All funds raised for this project will be kept in a special account and be used only for the surfacing project. THANK-YOU!

Enjoy the Trails in Winter

Annie Johnson of Petoskey enjoys her Winter Break out on the Resort Bluff's section of the Little Traverse Wheelway. Winter is a great time to explore the trails. Enjoy!

Millersburg Trailhead

We were dissappointed to see that the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund did not fund the Millersburg Trailhead project this year. They did not fund it for "political reasons" and they told Presque Isle County to come back next year because they think it is a great project. So TOMTC will continue to work with the County to resubmit the grant in 2010. What else can we do???

Burt Lake Trail

Burt Township, Cheboygan County continues to take the lead in a trail around the north side of Burt Lake. This trail would connect the North Central State Trail in Topinabee to the Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail in Emmet County. For more information go to www.burttownship.org

Do you want a trail from Boyne City to Charlevoix?

The Top of Michigan Trails Council (TOMTC) has a long standing interest in the proposed non-motorized trail that is planned to run from Boyne City to US-31, and then into the City of Charlevoix. Two years ago TOMTC raised the priority of this trail from second to first, and in fact, facilitated funding for a preliminary engineering plan. On September 24, 2009, a Petoskey News Review Article reported that the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners "further distanced itself" from the concept of a trail separated from the road shoulder. This was all transpiring at the same time that the M-119 trail segment from Pleasantview Road to Harbor Springs was celebrating a "Ground Breaking".

The Boyne City to Charlevoix trail plan is complicated by several issues that involve grant funding, an urgency to move on re-constructing the road, some property owner concerns that their deeds to the road easement did not include non-motorized trail uses, and a belief that efficiencies can be achieved by installing bike lane shoulders, i.e. making it a bike route as opposed to a non-motorized trail.

TOMTC entered this arena in an effort to facilitate the implementation of the original non-motorized trail plan for reasons of public safety, a broader user base, added stimulus to the local economy, aesthetics and convenience, and greater attractiveness to outside funding agencies. TOMTC's vision for this approach is consistent with trail plans evolving in the other seven counties within the TOMTC service area and was Charlevoix County's original plan. We are urging citizens, county officials and others to support a trail that, to the extent feasible, would be separated from the road shoulder. Contact Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners today if you want to see a trail from Boyne City to Charlevoix.

New Trail Segment to Harbor Springs Complete

In early November construction ceased on the remaining three miles of the Little Traverse Wheelway from the Harbor Springs Airport to a trailhead near the junction of Lake and Hoyt Streets in Harbor Springs. The new trail crosses M- 119 at the Pleasantview light and follow along the highway into town primarily seperated from the road shoulder by at least five feet of green space.

There is one section, near the Wequetonsing Golf Course, that the road shoulder must be used. There have been many questions about it and according to Danna Widman, HARBOR, Inc. Executive Director, this is why: "There were outstanding issues on the Wequetonsing frontage when the deadline came to submit the project for bidding. MDOT had to make the decision to go ahead with the project without the Wequetonsing frontage while both parties continued to work toward a solution. Those issues are currently still unresolved.”

Work continues to finish this last segment of the Wheelway.

Recently Arrived: New Comprehensive Map of All Our Trails. This is a compendium of strip maps that provide excellent detail for trail users. We do not yet have the files to set up the maps on the web so for now there is no downloadable version. You can obtain paper copies for $5 each by sending $5 to our office. With a Council Membership the map is free! Memberships start at $25. Download the membership application from our site, mail it in and we'll send out the new map. Thank you!