We have cut the ribbon and a new B2B Trail segment is officially open! Thanks to the 75+ people who joined us to celebrate the new path and to take an inaugural walk on the trail. A huge thanks also goes to all of the people who made this happen, including the WCPARC, WCRC, DNR, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, dozens more partners and more than 1,200 donors.
Come check it out for yourself. You can access this 2.6 mile section of trail at the Green Lake Campground or at the intersection of M52 and Werkner Roads, just outside of Chelsea. This is just the beginning of many more new B2B segments to come. You have made this possible!
We were blessed with a beautiful sunny, albeit chilly Saturday for a ribbon-cutting celebration.
Trail supporters of all ages gathered for the first official access to this new trail segment.
Live music added to the festive atmosphere of the day.
HWPI Board Chair, Jeff Hardcastle, answered questions about upcoming B2B trail construction projects.
Several four-legged trail supporters looked forward to their first walk on this new segment.
Founding HWPI Board Member, Paul Wiklanski, shared his excitement for this accomplishment.
Some wore their high visibility HWPI shirts for safety and to show their support.
Jeff Hardcastle, HWPI Board Chair and energetic trail advocate announced this new B2B trail segment opening.
Coy Vaughn, WCPARC Director, credited several people in his organization, and the Parks Commission’s partnership with HWPI.
Nearly 100 supporters gathered in the bright cold to participate in this milestone event.
Marc Keezer, Lyndon Township Supervisor, highlighted Lyndon Township’s involvement with the trail concept along M52, which predates the inception of HWPI.
Ron Olson, Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation Division Chief, spoke about the effectiveness of public-private partnerships, and how this new trail segment will provide more access to the state’s two largest recreation areas.
On behalf of HWPI, Jeff Hardcastle presented a $52,000 check to Coy Vaughn and Ron Olson, the start of an ongoing endowment for trail maintenance.
Officials from the private and public groups whose partnerships made this new trail segment possible assembled to cut the ribbon.
Founding HWPI Board Members Tim Eder and Marc Keezer snipped a portion of the ribbon to commemorate this event.
The gathered crowd of trail supporters posed for a group photo.
Most of the trail supporters in attendance participated in a first walk on the officially opened trail.
Bob Tetens, former WCPARC Director, walks the newly opened B2B trail segment with his grandson.
Some hearty trail supporters brought their bicycles along for an inaugural ride.
Even a beautiful reindeer dog was in attendance.
Jeff’s family is proud of his leadership and vision for a legacy that will be enjoyed for many generations to come.
One of the many vistas into state recreation area land that are available along this new trail segment.
Founding HWPI Board Member David Hardcastle is accompanied along the trail by his parents.
Starting in Sylvan Township, this trail segment crosses into Lyndon Township and will be extended to Stockbridge, where it will intersect the existing Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Par.
A young rider enjoys his first trip on this new B2B trail segment.
A huge thank you to Eco Sign Solutions for creating and sponsoring our B2B trail signage.
