With hundreds of miles of trails traversing dense forests, rolling hills and rugged coastline, Marquette County has become a popular hiking and biking mecca, attracting thousands of outdoor enthusiasts from near and far each year.
The trails have become part of the cultural fabric of the county and play a significant role in the region’s economy, quality of life and tourism industry.
The growing popularity and usage of these trails, however, have prompted increasing concerns about sustainability – about maintaining and protecting the trail system from housing, development and other economic pressures.
A newly released strategic plan for the 900-mile trail network addresses those concerns, calling for the securing of long-term easements of property along trails, improving wayfinding, sign usage and user education, and finding funding for improvements and maintenance.
The Greater Marquette Region Strategic Trails Plan is the result of a partnership between the Eagle Mine, Lake Superior Community Partnership and the International Mountain Bicycling Association. A host of regional stakeholders and community members played a significant role in the plan’s development, as well.
The Sustainable Trails Coalition was formed to play a major role in supporting and sustaining area trails by providing a centralized and coordinated approach to
trail management and development.
“These trails are a strong economic driver for us, and we need to protect them,” says Christopher Germain, who is CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership. “People come here to bike, and they shop in our stores, eat in our restaurants and stay in our hotels. A lot of people move up here because of the trails.”
From hikers and cyclists to nature enthusiasts and families seeking quality outdoor experiences, the demand for well-planned and accessible trails has never been greater, according to the plan. The plan looks at the pivotal role trails play in fostering community well-being, economic vitality, and environmental stewardship.
“Like anywhere, we’re seeing a lot of development pressure,” says Lori Hauswirth, who is executive director of the Noquemanon Trail Network, one of the stakeholders in the plan’s development. “There is pressure on our trail system, and we need to rally everyone around protecting this asset. It’s critical.”
What’s happening: A newly completed strategic plan
outlines various goals to maintain, preserve and protect Marquette County’s vast network of non-motorized trails. Those goals include securing the viability and sustainability of area trail systems with long-term easements and funding for improvements and maintenance, enhancing the existing trail network with better wayfinding, signage and user education, and enhancing community connectivity to regional offerings. The effort also seeks improved coordination between trail groups, land managers, business groups and government and the enhancement of community connectivity to recreational offerings.
Economic impact: As part of this project, a study was conducted to determine the economic impact of the trail network. The study by Public Sector Consultants analyzed major trail events along with nonevent trail usage. The trails have had a $41.5 million impact on the regional economy, supporting some 395 jobs. That economic impact comes from visitors spending money at stores, restaurants and hotels. Trail visits amount to 450,000-plus a year.
Behind the study: Eagle Mine partnered with Lake Superior Community Partnership and the International Mountain Bicycling Association to engage community members and regional stakeholders in the creation of the strategic plan. Outreach on the project began about two years ago.
Members of the Sustainable Trails Coalition: The Marquette coalition was formed as a steering committee to help guide the project. The committee consists of representatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Noquemanon Trail Network, Range Area Mountain Bike Association, North Country Trail, Friends of Harlow Lake, Iron Ore Heritage Trail, Marquette County, Marquette Township, JM Longyear, and the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development.
What’s next: The Marquette Sustainable Trails Coalition, currently housed at Lake Superior Community Partnership in Marquette, is looking for a permanent home. In addition, the coalition aims to pursue conversations with motorized trails users to include them in future aspects of the strategic plan. Trail electrification is also a future talking point. “E-bikes make trails more accessible to everyone but come with their own set of considerations and needs that must be addressed with additional conversation," Germain says.
A final thought: The Noquemanon Trail Network’s Hauswirth encourages individuals and outdoor recreation groups to give back to the trails they frequent. Giving back can mean donations for maintenance and projects or volunteering time.
“Trails exist because of the gift of time of people putting that time in,” she says, noting she shares this message regularly with trail users. “Trails are not typically supported by taxpayers or tax dollars. Trails are free to access. There is no charge to use the trail but someone else is putting the dollars and time in to make them available. Being a user is one thing; being a contributor is what makes these trails successful.”
To review the plan, go to:
Greater Marquette Regional Strategic Trails Plan.