Partnership Retrospective | Looking Back on Two Years with TART Trails

It is said that all good things must come to end. This rings especially true for Aspire North's partnership with TART Trails. It has been an absolute pleasure to have TART Trails as our Primary Non-Profit Partner for the last two years, and we are honored to count ourselves among the many other organizations and community members who contribute to TART's mission to "provide and promote a trail network that enriches people and communities throughout the greater Traverse region." So as 2021 and our partnership with TART come to a close, we would like to look back on some of the programs and initiatives that we took part in or contributed to. Thanks for a great two years TART! See you on the trail!

Thank you to Kate Lewis, Community Engagement Manager with TART, for contributing the summary of our partnership below!

Volunteer & Ambassador Program

TART Trails is grateful for many years of support from a diverse group of outdoor enthusiasts who donate thousands of volunteer hours to the organization annually. These individuals bring a variety of interests and skills and perform a wide range of duties such as trail building, maintenance, office work, Board of Directors and committees, events, and special projects.

Aspire North's sponsorship of this program resulted in a robust and busy two years of good work getting done out on the trails. Aspire North members joined TART's 400+ volunteer community and helped out with trail clean-ups, the annual Spring Work Bee, and events like Tour de TART.

Tour de TART

Tour de TART typically hosts over 650 registered participants and is supported by over 100 volunteers. It’s a super family-friendly event that attracts individuals of all ages and riding abilities — toddlers in bike trailers and kiddos on tagalongs are a usual sight. It is a great way for families to enjoy the benefits of using the trail together.

The 17-mile evening ride from Traverse City to Suttons Bay on the paved Leelanau Trail features waterfront views, two trailside food stops, and dinner at North Park in Suttons Bay with Michigan brews, wines, and plenty of local treats! All followed by a relaxing bus ride back to Traverse City. This is TART Trails’ largest fundraiser of the year with 100% of event proceeds benefiting the organization. In 2021, TART Trails leveraged Aspire North’s sponsorship funds to raise over $35,000!

Boardman Lake Loop Trail Construction and Art

For decades, the Grand Traverse community has supported the vision of a trail encircling Boardman Lake. Once complete, the Boardman Lake Loop Trail will link public parks, neighborhoods, local businesses, and community destinations while providing meaningful non-motorized transportation and recreation options. Completing the Loop will showcase the region’s natural, cultural and recreational resources — highlighting our unique freshwater environment and featuring captivating public art installations.

This collaborative project is an example of public-private partnerships at their best. Community partners have completed 3.5 miles of the Boardman Lake Loop Trail, providing trail users with a special opportunity to enjoy a wooded trail perfect for walking, running, bicycling, and relaxation. In partnership with Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County, and the City of Traverse City, TART Trails is working to complete the remaining 2 miles. Groundbreaking for the section of trail between 14th Street and NMC's University Center is underway! Construction of the remaining section to complete the Loop — the University Center to Medalie Park — will wrap up in 2022.

In addition, TART Trails coordinates with area partners to enrich the trail user experience through their Art on the TART program. Art on the TART features artworks in multiple disciplines and includes year-round public art installations as well as temporary exhibitions and community art. The Boardman Lake Loop Trail features several art installations including an exhibition by Robert Sestok and a portion of the Solar System by David Kirby.

Thanks to Aspire North’s support, project partners including the Traverse City Arts Commission and Oryana, the 10th Street Trailhead at Oryana is now home to a beautiful new public art installation. Sous la Ciel — made up of Michigan-based artists Adrienne Picket and Kellie Bambach — have created an interactive mural and furniture installation that creatively captures the indigenous flora and fauna of our region.

Nakwema Trailway: Acme Connector Trail

The Nakwema (nah-KWAY-mah) Trailway, linking Charlevoix and Traverse City, will provide a vital, non-motorized connection between pristine freshwater shorelines, rolling dunes, and pastoral farmlands. The Trailway will provide critical foundational infrastructure for happy, healthy, resilient individuals and communities that make up the quintessential towns, villages, and rich cultural heritage that define northwest Lower Michigan. The project is an innovative trail partnership between Top of Michigan Trails and TART Trails that will connect two regional trail networks through the creation of a 45+ mile non-motorized, multi-use trail.

A year-round destination for outdoor recreation and transportation, the Nakwema Trailway will be accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities for work and play. The trail will connect over 25 protected natural areas, granting unmatched access to the region’s iconic shoreline. The Trailway will offer a safe, non-motorized option to move through communities and explore the beauty of northwest Lower Michigan. Community benefits and trail user experience will drive the design of the trail. Trail development will ensure the goals of elevating our region's rich cultural and natural resources and providing important access in harmony with the natural environment.

With the help of Aspire North, TART raised $75,000 in matching funds to get this important community connector on the ground. The 1.8 mile Acme Connector will connect the TART Trail and Acme, providing safe access to businesses, existing trails, and recreation opportunities. Construction will begin in the spring of 2022.