Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail Committee

The committee was formed under TOMTC' umbrella in 2003 to explore the possibility of building a non-motorized trail between the two cities in response to public requests.  It is now chaired by Larry Sullivan and Scott MacKenzie with Jerry Corley of Charlevoix, Lou Awodey of Boyne City, Jim Howell of Evangeline Twp., Ken Kruzel and Chip Lorenger of Bay Twp. and Joe Rivard of Hayes Twp. rounding out the organization.   After selecting several potential routes, the committee held a public meeting at which a route parallel to but separate from Boyne City Road was selected.  The 14-mile long asphalt trail would be on Charlevoix County Road Commission right of way.  There will be a separation of at least five feet between the shoulder of the road and the trail.

In 2004, the committee raised over $50,000, which allowed TOMTC to contract for aerial surveying, mapping and conceptual design.  The aerial surveying and mapping was performed by Ayres Associates at the same time they were doing mapping for Charlevoix County; doing the work at the same time provided a significant cost saving.  Northwest Design Group is currently doing the concept design, including cost estimates.  Much of the work was done in the spring of 2005.

In September, 2006 Charlevoix County decided to support the idea of the trail and and take responsibility for maintenance after it is finished. More recently the city of Boyne City agreed to be the applicant for the transportation enhancement grant to MDOT for construction. In August, 2009 we are awaiting word on the grants that would provide funding for construction of phase 1 of the project between Boyne City and Horton Bay.

Burt Lake Trail Committee

The Burt Lake Trail Committee was formed in the fall of 2008 as a committee of Burt Township to explore the possibliity of building a trail from Brutus or Pellston on the Petoskey to Mackinaw City Trail to Topinabee on the North Central State Trail.  Although the precise route is still being worked out, the committee has decided that the trail will be crushed limestone, will follow Brutus Road or Douglas Lake Road, West Burt Lake Road, Hogsback Road, East Burt Lake Road, and Topinabee Mail Road and be miles in length. Preliminary work on engineering, funding, and construction is ongoing.  The Committee is co-chaired by township residents Gary Street and Ann Baughman.  As a 501 (c) 3 corporation, TOMTC is supporting the project and will act as the fiduciary agent for the committee; that is we will hold monies that are collected for the project until it is spent.

Friends of the North Central State Trail

Jim Conboy headed the group that was responsible for the improvement of the Gaylord to Mackinaw City Trail.  This project was officially completed in June, 2007 with the formal dedication of the 61 mile crushed limestone trail.

With the trail now finished, a successor group called "Friends of the North Central State Trail" has now been formed to promote the trail as well as assuring its future safety and beauty. The Friends group has concluded a contract with the DNR, the trail owner,  that spells out the terms of the relationship between the two entities and how they can help each other.  The trail has been divided into 11 segments, each with a captain who will keep track of how the trail is being maintained.  In addition, on May 20 , 2009 volunteers performed the season's first light maintenance along each segment and pick up the winter's accumulated trash.   The Friends is planning to work with local chambers of commerce and tourist bureaus to market the trail more effectively. Friends of the NCST will continue to be affiliated with TOMTC.

Little Traverse Wheelway Committee