LEELANAU LEELANAU TRAIL TRAIL FUNDERS FUNDERS REPORT REPORT
A TRAIL THAT TOUCHES LIVES
If you’re reading this, chances are the Leelanau Trail is part of your story. Maybe it’s where you start your mornings, find your stride, or breathe a little easier. Maybe it’s where your kids first learned to ride, where you gather with friends, or how you get to your favorite farmstand or vineyard. However it fits into your life, you know just how special this trail is.
Thanks to your support, the Leelanau Trail continues to be a place of connection, movement, and joy for today and for generations to come. This report is a reflection of what your generosity makes possible. We’re grateful to share it with you.
WINTER WONDERLAND
made a grand return to the Leelanau s year delivering towering nks and plenty of powder to play in. h it all, the drift-busting Leelanau oomers were out in force, logging 5 volunteer hours to keep 13 miles of op shape.
Thanks to their dedication, the trail stayed open and inviting for skiers, fat bikers, snowshoers, and winter walkers alike. Thanks to your support the Leelanau Trail remains a place of connection and renewal a year-round resource that brings people together in every season
From ski tracks to footpaths, a closer look at winter trail use
13 miles groomed for classic and skate skiing, offering smooth glides through rolling vineyards and woodlands
2 Miles of cleared trail from the Caboose to the DeYoung Natural Area, making winter walking safe and accessible
2 Miles of cleared trail from Dumas Rd to 4 St in Suttons Bay th
Volunteer-maintained singletrack (not marked… yet!) gave fat bikers a place to play beyond the groomed trail
Shady Lane Cellars 5K Loop, a hidden gem lovingly groomed by Andy Fles
POWERED BY PASSION
The Leelanau Trail Maintenance Crew affectionately known as the LT Crew is nothing short of legendary. This all-volunteer powerhouse continues to set the gold standard for trail care, logging an incredible 3,143 hours in 2024 alone. Their dedication is the reason the Leelanau Trail is one of the best maintained and most beloved trails in the region. This year, they installed new benches, improved intersection visibility, stabilized the historic potato barn, and even shared their expertise with the TART Trail Crew on the art of crack sealing. The LT Crew is the heart of our Ambassador Program. Without them, the trail simply wouldn’t be what it is today. Be sure to share the love with them when you're out and about on the trail this summer we're endlessly grateful for all they do.
"Maintaining the Leelanau Trail has become a shared way for us to give back to a place we love. From tending the Caboose Garden to keeping the trail in top shape, we find real joy and satisfaction in our efforts—and in knowing they add to the experience for everyone who walks, runs, or rides. Whether it’s a wave from a local or a kind word from a visitor, the appreciation we receive makes it all the more rewarding."
Chuck & Julie Percy
VOLUNTEERS AT WORK
Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and support from donors like you, last year marked a major milestone. Wild parsnip, one of the most aggressive invasives on the Leelanau Trail, is now largely under control. The LT Invasive Species team began treatment of species like purple loosestrife and woody invasives, with promising results. This year the approach will expand to include garlic mustard and garden valerian, supported by new tools and training. This work protects the trail’s natural beauty and it’s made possible by you.
17 miles of trail supporting 350,000 annual visits and engaging over 3,000 volunteer hours
INSPIRING THE FUTURE
Wiigwaasi-jiimaan: A Mural for the Fouch Trailhead
Last fall, we celebrated the installation of Wiigwaasi-jiimaan: A Mural for the Fouch Trailhead, created by artist Nik Burkhart. Community members gathered to hear Nik share the story behind his work, which explores the layered history of transportation in our region.
This powerful piece invites us to honor the past while reimagining a future of connection, movement, and respect for the natural environment. We’re grateful to support art that deepens the meaning of place and to you for helping make it possible
The Word on the Street
We acquired additional sculptural signs by Scott Froschauer as part of this The Word on the Street series. Trail users can now be delighted by these subtle, playful installations throughout the Leelanau Trail.
ROOTED AT BIRCH POINT
We’re excited to share that TART Trails has recently acquired a 5.7-acre property adjacent to the Leelanau Trail in Elmwood Township off of Birch Point Road The former hop farm is a long-sought site and will serve as the future home for a much needed trail mainteinace facility and trailhead.
Currently, our crew’s tools, machines, and supplies are scattered across borrowed garages and sheds throughout the county. We are deeply grateful for the generosity that’s made this work possible, but the patchwork system is no longer practical or sustainable The new site offers an ideal location for a dedicated facility centralizing equipment, supporting volunteers, and ensuring we’re ready for everything from routine upkeep to rapid response after extreme weather events.
Additionally, we are exploring other ways this property can serve our community Conceptual planning underway will shape a creative trailhead with amenities for trail users of all ages and abilities
The Birch Point property marks a significant step foward in our commitment to long-term stewardship and sustainability. We look forward to shaping this space into a hub that supports the trails we have and the experiences we enjoy - and the future we’re building together.
TRAIL FOR TOMORROW
The establishment of the Leelanau Trail Endowment Fund signals an exciting new chapter for the trail. It reflects a strong commitment to ensuring the trail remains a welcoming, well-cared-for space for everyone now and into the future. This dedicated fund will support year-round maintenance and improvements, helping the Leelanau Trail continue to thrive across seasons and generations.
More than just a funding tool, it’s a reflection of the community’s deep care for the trail and an investment in outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and active, connected communities for generations to come.
In 2023, the TART Trails Board of Directors established the Leelanau Trail Endowment to ensure lasting care for the trail and experiences it makes possible The endowment was seeded by an estate gift from longtime Trail Ambassadors and Trailblazers John Heiam and Lois Goldstein. Both John and Lois were known for their generosity, good humor, and tireless care for the trails Whether fixing flat tires of fellow travelers, sharing snacks from a well stocked fanny pack, or filling brochure boxes, John and Lois made the trails more welcoming and enjoyable for all. John and Lois embodied the spirit of LT founders leading by example and inspiring others to do the same. The endowment helps celebrate every mile and moment of connection the trail inspires for generations to come.
Maintaining the Leelanau Trail is an ongoing investment one that pays dividends in health, access, and connection. Over the years, TART Trails and our community of supporters have made it possible to not only keep the trail open and safe but to elevate the experience for all.
The Leelanau Trail doesn’t just exist it’s owned, stewarded, and sustained through intentional investment, year-round care, and community support.
JULIE CLARK CEO