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Aug. 31, 2018
Contact: Scott Slavin, 231-878-9403
Storm damage forces temporary trail
closures in northern Michigan
Severe
thunderstorms and high winds that earlier this week hit the northern Lower Peninsula
of Michigan have resulted in temporary trail closures to allow time for
evaluation and repair where needed, as well as to ensure the safety of trail
users.
Trails throughout the northern Lower Peninsula were
adversely affected by a storm that hit the area Tuesday and Wednesday. As a
result, motorized and nonmotorized trail users likely will encounter downed
trees and branches on the trails and should use caution on any open trail.
Department of Natural Resources crews and local trail
sponsors are working to assess the damage, clear downed trees and determine
whether more closures are needed.
Additional closures will be posted to the DNR’s website at michigan.gov/dnrclosures.
Trail users are urged to use caution while enjoying trails during the cleanup
process.
During
the same storm, high winds caused up to 150 trees to fall along the Fred Meijer
White Pine Trail in the area between Cadillac and the village of Leroy and in
the area between Paris and Big Rapids. Visitors can expect temporary,
intermittent closures between Cadillac and Big Rapids while the trees are
cleared.
Two additional temporary closures along the Fred Meijer White
Pine Trail State Park in Osceola County just went into effect, too. One
closure is located between Cleveland and Hibma roads, just north of Tustin, due
to a failed culvert caused by significant trail erosion. The area is unsafe for
travel and will be closed until a solution has been identified. The other
closure will accommodate a surfacing project along 11.8 miles of trail between
Reed City and Leroy and is slated for completion in early September.
“We
are making every attempt to ensure public safety and to reopen these trails,”
said Paul Yauk, the DNR's state trails coordinator.
Questions
about the trail closure may be directed to Scott Slavin, Cadillac Parks and
Recreation Division District recreational trails specialist, at 231-878-9403
or slavins@michigan.gov.
Learn more about state trails opportunities at michigan.gov/dnrtrails.
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