Dec. 12, 2024
Contact: Tim Novak, 517-388-8347

DNR collaborating with MSU to help community trail-building

Organizations interested in planning pathways are sought for future involvement in this project

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with students at Michigan State University to help five communities in their trail-planning efforts.

Through the DNR's partnership with the Community Sustainability Department in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU, students taking a Michigan trails and trail-building course in spring semester 2025 will assist the city of Sault Ste. Marie in Chippewa County, the village of Cassopolis in Cass County, Calhoun County, Clearwater Township in Kalkaska County and the city and township of Charlevoix in Charlevoix County with developing, reviewing and updating trails in their respective communities.

“The DNR is excited to be partnering with MSU in this collaborative effort that focuses on trails and helping communities bring to life their visions for connected paths in their communities,” said Tim Novak, state trails coordinator for the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division.

This collaboration is part of an ongoing partnership between the DNR and MSU, and the plan is for this project to continue beyond this coming semester with more Michigan communities interested in trail planning.

"I look forward to our continued work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and their trails team in helping teach students the value of trail-building and working directly with community leaders," said MSU instructor Bob Wilson, who teaches the class. "What a wonderful opportunity to learn and to provide trail plans for these communities."

The Top of Michigan Trails Council will coordinate the work with Charlevoix.

"The Trails Council is so excited that MSU and the students in Bob Wilson's Michigan Trails class have chosen to work with a community within the Top of Michigan Trails Network," said Brent Bolin, executive director of the Top of Michigan Trails Council. "Northern Michigan's small towns are terrific gateways to our trails, and getting a written trails plan to help the community leverage their trail connections over time will be so helpful."

An ongoing trails-planning project

Interested community leaders who would like to be considered for future project involvement should contact Novak at NovakT8@Michigan.gov.

“This is an amazing opportunity for all involved,” Novak said. “We’re grateful for the assistance students will provide to these communities and their plans for local trails. If this sounds like a great match for your community's connectivity and recreation goals, we'd love to hear from you.”

Michigan’s thousands of miles of trails provide opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding, ORV riding, snowmobiling and more. Find maps, check closures, learn trail etiquette and more at Michigan.gov/DNRTrails.

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

• Winter trail run: A runner makes her way up a hill on the VASA Pathway on the east side of Traverse City in Grand Traverse County.