Public forum for possible trail extension called ?a friendly start?

The Presque Isle County Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Department of Transportation co-hosted a public forum to receive feedback on a possible extension of the Huron Sunrise Trail from Hoeft State Park to 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Park. The Rogers City Area Senior Center banquet room was filled Monday with about 55 people and at the end of the more than 90-minute meeting an advisory group was appointed to determine the best possible route.

About 20 residents who live between the two parks were in attendance, along with officials from the city of Rogers City, the Rogers City Chamber of Commerce, the Presque Isle County Road Commission, the Rogers Township Board, and from the lighthouse. For the most part, it was a pro-trail group.

“It was a very positive crowd and it did include a lot of local residents who are adjacent to one of the roadway choices, and I thought that was good,” said Mary Ann Heidemann, County Development Commission director. Planning for a possible extension, which would be about two miles of additional trail, is in the early stages, as no paperwork has been prepared or applications submitted.

IT WAS DETERMINED that there are four possible ways to extend the trail, which include taking it along US-23 right-of-way, power line easements, state land adjacent to US-23, and portions of county roads. “Maybe the best trail is parts of all of those,” said Heidemann. The most recent expansion of the trail from the northern city limits of Rogers City to the Hoeft State Park entrance was completed last fall. The anniversary of the ribbon cutting was nearly a years to the day. Scott Thayer, manager of the Michigan Department of Transportation Alpena Transportation Service Center, said “I think it’s proven over the years that when you have facilities like this, that link nodes and destinations that are important to people…we’re going to see some economic growth, and that’s what we usually see out of this.” Heidemann added, “My EDC board is strongly pro-trail because of the economic development connection, because we feel our tourism businesses benefit greatly by having this kind of facility in the county.”

THE MEETING was opened to receive input from the audience. Heidemann listened to answers from the audience and wrote them on large sheets of paper. The suggestions, which included adding signs on the existing trail, the need for benches, and improvements to sections of the trail for rollerblades, such as on Shore Road, were all written down by Heidemann and discussed. “I think it’s a good idea,” said Barb Stone of the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society of the possible extension. “We have a steady stream of people out there all summer.” “Our guests are using the trail,” said Driftwood Motel owner Jim Dempsey. “I think it’s wonderful. Has it helped us any, I have no idea?”

Rogers City Chamber of Commerce executive director Bill Hanchett said the trail was a “prime destination” for travelers visiting the area this summer. The one thing Hanchett believes the trail need is a place for users to purchase refreshments. “It would be a good place to put a small store,” he said.

BLAKE GINGRICH from Hoeft State Park said he would like to see the 1938 pavilion building at the park, which is currently being used for storage, opened again and used to provide concessions, as well as to rent kayaks and bikes

to visitors. “That building is in great shape,” Gingrich said, which brought the loudest outburst of applause during the meeting.

Members of the advisory team include Henry Cetus and Randy Smolinski from the Rogers Township Board; Rogers City resident Rick Wagner; Gingrich from the state park; Neil Burchett from the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society; Eric Rose, superintendent-manager of the road commission; Anne Belanger and Jeff Hopp from Cool Cities of Rogers City; and representatives from the MDOT Alpena Transportation Service Center. An EDC member probably will be appointed at the next meeting.

“I was really delighted that so many people came out,” said Heidemann. “I was really delighted that people were open minded and very helpful with suggestions. I don’t know what issues lie ahead of us, but I thought this was a very friendly starting point.”