Rail-Trail workshop keeps program moving forward

Members of the Department of Natural Resources, numerous members of the surrounding community, and a representative of the Top of Michigan Trails Council met Wednesday evening in Millersburg to conduct a planning and design workshop regarding the DNR?s recreational Rail-Trail, which includes a portion of trail extending almost 60 miles from Hawks to Mackinaw City, with stops in Millersburg and Onaway.

ACCORDING TO Annamarie Bauer of the DNR, the Rail-Trail system is old railroad trail that no longer serves a purpose for trains, and is being converted for recreational use. The DNR has been acquiring the rail for a number of years, and most recently has begun purchasing the properties in northern Michigan.

?There are 180 miles of trail throughout the northern lower peninsula,? said Bauer. ?We are so close to linking 180 miles worth of trail from Petoskey, to Gaylord, Cheboygan, Mackinaw City, Millersburg and beyond. It?s really important for us to get community feedback at this point.?

A Rail-Trail system currently connects Petoskey to Mackinaw City, although there are several areas where the DNR does not have complete ownership. The Rail-Trail from Gaylord to Mackinaw City is completely owned by the DNR, and has just received the green light for construction to begin in the spring.

The construction includes improvements to the surface, and added signage along the trail. The Rail-Trail from Cheboygan to Alpena spurs off at points toward Hillman and Rogers City. Each Rail-Trail system would be surfaced and improved for multi-recreational usage ? from biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and hiking.

EMILY MYERSON, an urban planning consultant contracted by the Top of Michigan Trails Council, presented the Mackinaw to Hawks Rail-Trail master plan to those in attendance Wednesday. She said the master plan includes recommendations to the DNR on how to construct the Rail-Trail systems to improve surrounding areas, pull in economic opportunities, and better suit the communities where the trails pass through.

?The master plan discusses recommendations (such as) working with the village of Millersburg to maintain the trail year round, and working with the Millersburg Historical Society to restore the Old Depot building,? said Myerson. ?Sometimes you develop plans and nothing happens, but this is a plan that is moving ahead.?

The master plan includes the vision for the Mackinaw City to Hawks Rail-Trail, which states the goal as linking northern Michigan together, and making the Rail-Trail system a multi-use facility. The Rail-Trail will act as an ?economic engine? for the local communities.

?The Rail-Trail is going to open up to some off-road transportation and recreation, while promoting healthy living,? said Myerson. ?As it stands, there is no safe connection for children to get from Millersburg to Onaway ? with the Rail-Trail, children could ride their bikes.?

THE RAIL lines in Michigan were completed in the 1900s, but in 1990 all lines were discontinued, and in 1991 the rails were removed. In 1996-97 the DNR began to acquire the properties, and they were primarily utilized for snowmobile trails. Myerson said the trails have been underutilized in the past.

?We can do a lot of things around year round,? said Myerson. ?People are already coming to camp, hike, bike, and more.?

Myerson said the top three recommendations the master plan makes to the DNR are 1) surface, 2) safety, and 3) services. The recommended surface for the majority of the Rail-Trail is a crushed limestone, which would be durable enough to hold up to bikes in the summer, and easily maintained after a winter of snowmobiles.

The master plan recommends the DNR keep on top of safety issues regarding the Rail-Trail. It states, ?general maintenance and safety should be done first and foremost, including fixing drainage problems, road crossings, trespass problems, and structural issues.? A grant was recently awarded to fix several road crossings between Hawks and Cheboygan on the Rail-Trail.

THE ONAWAY to Hawks Rail-Trail covers 17.8 miles, and is a very remote area that passes through several wetlands. Currently, the trail surface is dirt and loose ballast stone. The trail includes four bridges, such as the historic Ocqueoc Bridge, which was constructed in 1845.

Myerson said she believes the Rail-Trail system in Onaway will receive more summer usage, while Millersburg will have higher use in the winter months. Millersburg will be designated as an area for a trailhead, and the DNR will work with the community on restoring the Old Depot building as a museum.

Those in attendance Wednesday were asked to generate ideas of what the community has available now, and what they might want to see available in the future. Services presently available in the community include the county fairground, the elementary school, the gas station and party store, a restaurant, a community park, and a mechanic.

A large list of what the community members would like to see included with the Rail-Trail system was also compiled. Among concerns were plans for illegal users of the trail system, signage that clearly marks the trails as open for multi-use, lighting, bicycle promotion, water stops,

benches, bathroom facilities, and the restoration of adjacent property for summertime festival uses. Residents were also concerned with the lack of parking availability for snowmobiles in the winter. As many as 120 machines have been known to park in a make-shift lot off of Main Street, although the property is private.

?THIS RAIL-TRAIL will create a demand for business properties and business growth,? said Myerson. ?The trails are currently open year round, and (even though the current gates are misleading), the trails are open for (non-motorized) use all summer, with snowmobiles allowed in the winter.?

The ideas generated from Wednesday?s meeting will be taken and added to the plan. Myerson will send the revised plan to the Millersburg Historical Society for additional review. Another meeting is possible for the future.

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