Trails are a big part of what makes it great to live in or visit the Upper Peninsula, with lots of opportunity to hike, ride, bike, walk, off-road, snowmobile, fish, kayak and all kinds of other things.
So the more interconnected and developed that trails in different areas of the U.P. are, the better for tourism, local businesses, and residents. That's the idea behind a recent groundbreaking at Au Train Township in Alger County, where the Au Train Heritage Trailhead Development is now underway.
The trailhead will include a universally accessible kayak launch, fishing pier, pavilion, interpretive center, picnic tables, restrooms and multi-use trailhead. Parts of the project are reuses of existing resources; the pavilion is a former railroad depot, and the interpretive center is an old log cabin.
The whole thing will cost $333,700, but part of it is thanks to a $246,700
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant to the township in 2012, which allowed construction to start recently. The rest of the money is coming from Au Train Township, with the help of other grants and fundraising through the Alger County Chamber of Commerce. The construction and contracting portions of the project are being completed by local contractors.
"The Au Train project is a wonderful addition to an already beautiful and popular area. This site will provide opportunities for not only residents of the area, but also visitors. By incorporating universal access in various forms, this opens up opportunities not found in other areas for those wanting to enjoy some of the area's natural resources," says Kathy Reynolds, executive director of the
Alger County Chamber of Commerce.
Writer: Kim Eggleston
Source: Alger County Chamber of Commerce
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.