Vasa Top 10 Improvements for 2005

Thu, Dec  22, 2005 - By Missy Luyk

Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails is taking the time to pause and celebrate several exciting accomplishments in the greater Grand Traverse region.

Many improvements have taken place this past year in our community that will make it easier and more pleasant for people to walk, in-line skate, hike and bike. These improvements have ranged from recreational hiking trail linkage, to aesthetic enhancements of existing facilities, to bike trail extensions that serve both recreation and transportation interests. These improvements have been built through the effort and support of local, state and federal government entities, non-profit groups, private foundations, and individuals.

To recognize and celebrate these successes, TART Trails, Inc. has come up with our inaugural 'Top Ten' list for 2005 improvements. The list was generated by TART staff with input from various individuals throughout the region. The list is not in any particular order, because different people in our region will enjoy and appreciate these improvements differently depending on where they live and what they like to do. Our community is much richer for these positive steps towards a healthier, more accessible, and more friendly place to live.

The Top Ten list is below in alphabetical order.

TART’s Top Ten
2005 Biking and Walking Improvements
Greater Grand Traverse Area

1. Betsie Valley Trail
   Improved the 12 miles between Beulah and Thompsonville with compacted aggregate.
      
2. Bunker Hill Road shoulders
   1/2 mile of paved shoulders to create a bike friendly connection from the TART trail to the Vasa Trail in Acme Township.
    
3. Cherry Bend Road shoulders
   2 miles of paved road shoulders in Elmwood Township
    
4. East Boardman Lake Trail
   2 mile paved and crushed limestone trail from Hull Park in Traverse City to Medalie Park in Garfield Township
    
5. Hardy Parking Deck -Bike Parking
   Covered, secure Class I bike lockers in Downtown Traverse City.
    
6. North Country Trail re-route
   7 miles of new trail in the Pere Marquette State forest connecting the Muncie Lake trails system and the Sand Lake Quiet Area trails and removing the NCT from Shore to Shore horse trail.
    
7. Jay Smith Walkway
   Landscaping improvements to this pedestrian walkway in Downtown Traverse City.
    
8. TART Sculpture Plaza
   Landscaping improvements and setting of life-size sculpture along the TART trail on West Bay in Downtown Traverse City.
    
9. TART Trail extension
   2 mile paved trail from Lautner Road to M-72 along Railroad in Acme Township
    
10. West Front Street 'Road Diet'
    Re-striping of 1/2 mile of 4-lane road to a 3-lane road with 2 bike lanes in Garfield Township

Missy Luyk
Trail Program Specialist
TART Trails
232 E. Front Street - PO Box 252
Traverse City, MI 49685
(231) 941-4300
[email protected]
http://www.traversetrails.org/