Building a Lasting Legacy –The Leelanau Trail

Long before a trail connected the communities of Traverse City and Suttons Bay, the corridor served as a rail line that ended in Northport. The last active period of rail use was between 1991 and 1993 when the Leelanau Scenic Railroad took tourists on summer trips between Rennie’s Station (near the Discovery Center) and Suttons Bay. With intense opposition from many surrounding landowners, and little support from government entities, a small group of determined dreamers based in Leelanau County formed the Leelanau Trails Association (LTA) and purchased the rail corridor. Their vision was to create a path from the past and a park for tomorrow. The LTA faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles to see their vision become reality.

Trails in the Grand Traverse region are providing the benefits we would expect any trail system to provide, like appreciation of nature and access to scenic views. But the Leelanau Trail goes above and beyond those benefits, helping to improve citizens’ health and providing direct economic value to local businesses. The investment put into these trails will only magnify these benefits and the community recognizes that more trails will result in more benefits.”

—Taylor Stein, Professor of Ecotourism at the University of Florida

Today, the Leelanau Trail is owned and operated by TART Trails, and maintained by the tireless and dedicated Leelanau Trail Maintenance Crew including Dave Monstrey, one of the founders of the LTA. This gem of a trail serves recreationalists and commuters in all four seasons. Its origin story serves as a testament to the change and betterment that can happen in a community when non-motorized infrastructure is introduced and well maintained. We look to the Leelanau Trail to help share the story of trails and the benefits they provide.

The story of the Leelanau Trail continues. Designated a “Pure Michigan” Trail in 2019, we continue to improve upon the beautiful path started nearly 30 years ago by adding amenities, landscaping, and access points, just to name a few. We continue to work with Bingham Township on creating a companion trail offering parallel, natural surface opportunities for mountain biking and trail running; and the Village and Township of Suttons Bay to create more comfortable and convenient connections to town and north to Peshawbestown. We dream of connections to come—to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and, maybe one day, Northport. We will keep looking for those visionary community leaders to help lead the way.

1994

Leelanau Trails Association formed

1995

Signed land contract to purchase rail corridor for $475,000 and paved short section in Suttons Bay

1996

Completed Leelanau Trail Master Plan and the trail opened to the public

2004

TART | Leelanau connector trail constructed from M-72 to Carter Road

2014

Segment north of Suttons Bay to Dumas Road completed

2019

Designated a Pure Michigan Trail

2021

Improved trail crossings, Shady Lane trailhead, new amenities and landscaping

2023 dedication visitors and citizens of our community enjoying

Continue looking for opportunities to the north and west to connect us to the places we want to be, the people we want to be with, and the natural world around us