Lynn AckersonRenee AllenKurt & Carrie AndersonHoward AndressRobert & Cherri AnthonyMark & Denise AntonishenBrian & Elizabeth BachynskiDouglas P. & Linda BaconTom BaileyWalt & Martha BakerSteve & Susan BakerRichard BaldwinRonald C. & Sandra BaldwinDavid & Robyn BarrieJames R. & Nancy L. BartlettPeter & Diane BassoSydney & Mary BaxterDavid BeierDavid & Karen BeaucheminRobert & Sharon BenceNorman J. & Kathryn BennettLaurence L. & Linda BernhardtRoger BenterCharles BesawMary BiaginiJan Biddick & Ron VandenBrinkSteve & Kathy BiggsSanford & Susan BirnholtzJeffrey & Katherine BischoffRobert & Elizabeth BittermanJohn BlairRon BlodgettEllis Boal & Luanne KozmaLarry & Joanne BoermanBarbara Bohls-GrahamMarvin BookerDon L. & Rosemarie BowerJeffery & Julie BradfordFrank J. & Kathy BrickerClayton BrownCameron Brunet-Koch & Bruce KochMichael & Bonnie BrunettHenry & Joan BryanWilliam & Marilyn BryanBrian BurnsThomas & Gloria CadwaladerMichael & Martha CameronRussell & Christine CarpenterJohn & Elizabeth CarrSusan CarruthersBruce & Kay CartfordDaniel & Linda CasasantaMichael CavenderPhilip & Gretchen ChamberlainKathleen CharboneauJohn CheneyWayne ChristophersonJames R. & Carolyn A. CloutierJames & Jeanine CollinsJames C. & Susan ConboyHugh ConklinRobert & Maureen ConklinMark & Rebecca CookGary & Deborah CooperCharlotte CorbettMichael & Joanne CromleyJames & Marilyn CusenzaCynthia CzubkoAllen & Jane DamschroederDavid H. & Deborah L. DealWilliam & Jennifer DelaneyClifford & Jane DenayAl & Cynthia DikaThomas & Trisha DobiasRobert Doctor & Peggy Tittle

James & Maureen DoullMorgan EdwardsWilliam & Sharleen EisenbeiserPaula EizonasJames N. & Bonnie L. EllisGerald & Diane EllmanMarvin ElzingaMichael & Marcia EtienneThomas FairbairnErin Fanning & Keith RadwanskiCharles R. & Bonnie FarrugiaLloyd Fell & Kathy LiederChristopher FitzgeraldLois FettisHil & Marilyn FlorekMike & Angela FlorekJim & Laurie FordCharles ForsbergPatricia ForsterBradford & Joyce FosterKen & Margaret FowlerMark & Patricia FralickJames & Sarah FraserReed FreidingerArthur & Jean FrentzJohn & Christine FulfordDoug Fuller & Martha LancasterRonald & Denise FusinaGerald & Sharon GadowskiCharles H. & Fran GanoRafael GarciaByron & Sheila GayMargaret & Donald GiffelsPatricia GildnerAlan & Leanne GillespieMelvin GoldenbogenBill & Louise GrahamMike & Chris GrantJohn Gravlin & Tracy HardinAlfred & Hildegard GreenRobert D. & Candace J. GreeneWilliam & Kathy HaefnerMichelle HallettSadie HampsonJames W. & Jessica HaslockAndy & Cindy HayesDavid & Clare HeidtkeJames & Carol HelmerBruce HerbertCharles Huebner & Melanie ManaryHashem & Fran HilalMax & Diane HinkleyRichard & Perry HodgsonEugene & Carolyn HodulikDavid & Ellen HofackerJohn & Judy HoffmanJohn & Julie HolderThomas HoppThomas D. & Mary W. HordDavid R. & Patricia HubbardCharles HuebnerMelanie ManaryDennis & Suzanne HugJohn IacoangeliRobert & Sharlene IngmandDavid H. & Ann IrishTerry & Patti JacksonHenry JallosCarl & Vicki JanssensChristian & Amy JanssensTim J. JarviMax D. & Kathryn Johnson Jr. JontzWilliam JordanDennis M. & Karen M. JoyAlexis Kaczynski & Eric GrandstaffWilliam & Carla KanineLouis W. & Sandra KasischkeStanley & Lee Katlein

Andris & Irene KazmersRobert E. & Mary KeedySam King & Christine KahnThomas KirvanArnold & Jean KlugeRyan & Danielle KnightJames & Judith KohlC. Michael & Elizabeth Ann KojaianJanet KopkaVern & Laura KorsElvira & Linda KortesojaHarold KoviakFrank & Theresa KristJason D. & Margaret M. KrommTerry KurethJohn E. & Elaine KurtzLuther & Mary KurtzKaren LangsR. Dale & Gloria LandesJudith LandisCraig & Susanne LarrabeeLynn LaughlinMary LeeJames A. & Kathleen LehJohn & Maureen LehmanNeil O. & Carolyn S. LeightonRobert C. & Donna LelandRichard & Jane LentMartin & Susan LettsDale R. & Jeannette LewisFred & Kathy LiederbachWayne T. & Georgia A. LindstromMark & Bonnie LorenzEvelyn & Thomas LottRic & Lisa LoydKaren LudwigLorraine LundDavid LurieBarbara & Tom LyonJack & Vickie LyonCharles & Kathy MacInnisPatrick L. & Martha MaloneyJan MancinelliEdwin & Jane Ann MarinWebb F. & Janet MartinPatrick & Norma MayRichard & Janet MayMaureen MayneDavid & Joy McBrideMartha & Leonard McCallepJohn & Meriwether McCloreyKaren McCueGeorgina McElgunnVaughn & Harriet McGrawPatricia McKayWilliam & Susan McKayPhil & Karen McKinleyJim & Diane McMahonMark & Laurie McMurrayJohn J. & Denise M. McQuillanWilliam L. & Helen D. MeengsHugh Melling & Denise SimonAnn Melvin & Daniel SullivanConnie MendykJoseph & Catherine MerrittConstance MessnerJames E. & Teresa MeyerBerta MeyersonEmily R. Meyerson & Harry KitchenVal Meyerson & Tom JohnsonTim & Kathy MikolajczakWilliam & Jane MillarKim & Larry MillerRobert MillerGreg & Marion MilwardDan & Lynn MixerBradley & Susan MoffattSheila MolenkampEdmund & David Montgomery

Thomas A. Moore & Katy HayesJames MontonDiane MorandRobert & Mary Ellen MorgridgeWilliam & Linda MorrowPaul MoultrupDave & Pamela MoyerElizabeth MuirFred & Paula MulhauserBruce & Marcia MumbrueSheila MurphyRobert B. Neale Thomas & Deborah NeidhamerValaura NibbelinkMaureen NicholsonDaniel & Wendy NielandFrank & Cynthia NortonFrancis O’BrienGil & Ruth OgawaSally OldsJim & Beverly OsetekMark W. & Ruth E. PaddockJohn H. & Mary Jo ParkerAlice PattengaleDennis & Margaret PaullShelley & Butch PaulsenJohn D. & Carol A. PaulusRobert M. & Bedonna PerishDavid M. & Barbara PerreaultMark & Dawn PetersonWilliam & Jane PetzoldSandy PlanisekLucas & Jane PorathJohn PorterPhillip J. & Mary PossanzaJeffrey D. & Carol PowersWilliam & Shirley PrallRoy PulaskiMax & Mary PuttersJames & Patricia RadlickSteve & Margie RehTimothy RenoCraig & Teresa ReynoldsJames RodlickStuart & Kathleen RisbyGerald & Joan RogersHenry RossPaulina RyanNicholas SabolTom & Nancy SarowskiPaul & Mikkie SchemanskiSteve & Elizabeth SchnellRobert SchrockJim & Kathy SchroederSherman & Julie SchultzDarrell & Jane SchwalmSteven SeeleyRichard L. & Gail SelvalaGary & Colleen ShawBud J. & Nancy ShearMichael SheeanCalvin & Barbara ShieldsJohn J. & Mary SicilianoAlbert SickingerBarbara SmithDarlene SmithSolomon & Deborah SmithStafford & Janice SmithTom & Flo SmithTom & Mary SmithJacob SniderDennis & Guyla SnyderRonald D. & Donna SnyderThomas SnyderDavid Spitzli & Maureen EngleThomas & Susan StanleyKenyon R. & Sally A. StebbinsMargaret & Jim StellerTimothy Sterling

William A. & Marion StetsonGary & Susan Irish StewartMark StormzandGary & Mary StreetKirk & Linda SwabashRobert & Janet SwansonJerry & Donna SwiftTheodore & Nora SzydlowskiJohn & Mary Lou TantonJoel TauberJoAnne ThomasSara ThompsonRichard & Catherine TillenRalph & Nadine TramontiniJames TrombleyMichael L. & Patricia A. TurnbullJames A. & Rita C. TuttleAmy Tweeten & Tony VollmarHelen ValaMarilyn ValaGerald R. & Linda M. ValkaKay & Kent Van AllenSteve & Jean Van DamMary Ann & Michael Van LokerenRoberta Vander BreggenKristen VerrettMargaret & Paul VisserChristine VogtSteve & Connie VorenkampJames & Rachel VotrubaSteven & Julie Ann WangClayton & Mary Jo WarnerDave & Christina WearschPaul & Melanie WeaverMarcus & Sharon WegmeyerTracie WerblowBob & Rosita WhiteEvangeline WhiteJames A. & Sharon M. WhiteNick J. & Betsy WhiteJames & Marsha WhitehouseTim & Peg WilcoxHal & Gail WillensSamuel WilliamsonJeff & Julie WinegardTodd & Jennifer WinnellTerry L. & Barbara A. WisemanBrian & Gina WittenbergDavid G. & Barbara E. YoungHarold & Bonita Zeigler

Top of Michigan Trails Council 445 E. Mitchell Street • Petoskey, MI 49770 • www.trailscouncil.org • 231.348.8280

Annual Report 2015

CONSIDER A BEQUEST We use unrestricted bequests to help meet our most urgent needs at the time we receive the bequest.

You should consult your attorney about the legal requirements in your state, but here is an example of language you and your attorney might include:

“I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Top of Michigan Trails Council, currently of 445 East Mitchell, Petoskey (the sum of ___$) or (___ percent of my estate) or (specific items of property) or (the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate). This gift may be used to further the objectives of Top of Michigan Trails Council in such a manner as the Board of Directors may direct.”

2014 ContributorsThank you for your support!

Businesses, Non-Profits, Foundations:Bay Inn of Petoskey

Bay Street Orthopaedics, PLLC

Baywinds Credit Union

Bearcub Outfitters

Beckett & Raeder

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Citizens National Bank

Dar’s Hallmark

Graham Holdings

Great Lakes Energy

Petoskey Harbor Wear

Indian River Chamber of Commerce

Keller Foundation

Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen

Latitude 45

Little Traverse Conservancy, Inc.

McLean & Eakin Booksellers

Michigan Mountain Mayhem

Michigan Trail Maps

Moran Iron Works

Offield Family Foundation

Park of the Pines

Peco Foundation

Rotary Charities Cheboygan

Sky Dive Harbor Springs

Spies Auto Parts

Straits Area Credit Union

Straits Area Federal Credit Union

Straits Area Printing

The Outfitter

Toski Sands Market

Tri-County Bicycle Assn.

Tromble Bay Farms

Van Dam Custom Boats

PROJECT UPDATE FROM THE LAST ANNUAL REPORT:Construction on the Northwestern State Trail Set for June 2015 - The new trail segment will be in Alanson and extend north 23 miles to Mackinaw City. The surface will be crushed limestone. The trail connects to a 7 mile stretch of paved trail that runs from Alanson to the Little Traverse Wheelway close to the city of Petoskey. This fall it will be possible to ride from Charlevoix to Mackinaw City.

Trails Council Explores the Purchase of the “Ultimate Trailhead” - With the help of Petoskey Rotary, funds are being raised to purchase the building located between Petoskey and Harbor Springs at the intersection of the Little Traverse Wheelway and the Northwestern State Trail. The building will be used as an educational center, providing the public with maps, information on health and wellness, safety training, and events for youth and families.

Bike Racks Installed on Straits Regional Ride Buses - The Trails Council coordinated the funding to allow the Straits Regional Ride public bus system to install bike racks on nine of its twelve buses last fall. SRR serves Cheboygan, Emmet and Presque Isle counties. Each rack holds three bikes, the racks are mounted on the front of the buses and are easy to use. In addition to SRR’s regular routes, buses are available for prearranged pick up and drop off transportation for individuals and bicycles.

TOP PRIORITIES: Trail committees and development in progress

Trail Name Development Type Miles County Major Links Project Status

Petoskey to Mackinaw City,Alanson to MC

Crushed packed

limestone

23.2 Emmet Route directly connecting Alanson, Pellston and Mackinaw City. Construction Summer 2015

Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail, Phase 1

10’ wide asphalt surface

3.2 Charlevoix Links Boyne City to Young State Park, Park of the Pines and ultimately Horton Bay, the LTW and the City of Charlevoix Construction Summer 2016

Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail, Phase 2

10’ wide asphalt surface

3.3 Charlevoix Links LTW to Susan Lake, and ultimately Camp Seagull, Horton Bay, Young State Park, Boyne City Funding Approved

Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail, Phase 3

10’ asphalt trail 3.2 Charlevoix

Links to Phase One of the existing section (summer 2014) of the Boyne City to Charlevoix Non- motorized Trail. The path will connect at the Bay/Evangeline Township line extending through Bay Twp. and the Village of Horton Bay, and ending at Pincherry Road (3.2 miles)

Funding in Progress

SECOND PRIORITIES: Trail planning in progressTrail Name Development Type Miles County Major Links Progress to date

NCST City extension 10’ wide asphalt .75 Otsego Link the NCST to downtown Gaylord

and a new trailhead

Easement obtained by DNR; City working toward purchase of trailhead property.

Gaylord South 10’ wide crushed limestone 12 Otsego

Link Gaylord and the NCST to southern Otsego County and the village of Waters (and eventually on to Grayling)

Bagley Township DDA is working toward getting approval from MDOT to create a rail with trail.

Boyne Valley Trail, Boyne City to Boyne Falls

10’ asphalt trail 5.0 CharlevoixLinks Boyne City to Boyne Falls, Avalanche Park to Boyne Mountain and School Districts.

Land and easements acquired. Fundraising in progress

Burt Lake Trail, Phase 2

10’ wide crushed limestone or paved

shoulders11.6 Cheboygan

Eventually it would link the Petoskey to Mackinaw City Trail to the North Central State Trail

Funding still needed

Rogers City Spur Rail-Trail

10’ wide crushed limestone 10.5 Presque Isle

Links the NEST near Posen to Rogers City and the Huron Sunrise Trail

DNR needs to acquire a small property or find an alternative route.

THIRD PRIORITY: Existing rail-trails or other alignments with partner agencies for trail planning & development

Trail Location County

Alpena to Hillman Rail-Trail Alpena & Montmorency

City of Charlevoix south to the Antrim County Line Charlevoix

Elk Rapids north to the Charlevoix County Line Antrim

Elk Rapids south to Williamsburg Antrim & Grand Traverse

Gaylord to Boyne Falls Charlevoix, Antrim & Otsego

Petoskey to Mackinaw City Alanson segment Emmet

President’s MessageOUR TRAILS ARE BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY!

The Michigan State University trail survey was completed in 2014 and reported this past April. It confirmed that our Trails are now firmly embraced by our residents, our second home owners, and our tourists from other states. The Little Traverse Wheelway alone saw 100,000 uses in the non-snow months. What does this mean to us now, and what are the opportunities ahead?

Right now, in fact today, I rode the scenic and comfortable Northwestern State Trail to Alanson, which we are extending this summer to Mackinaw City. The mix of people on that Trail today was gratifying. Families, athletes, hikers, walkers, bikers, old folks, kids, and some that were obviously working on their health issues: all were having a Pure Michigan Day! Obviously our Trail assets are providing a strong sense of community, a welcome attraction to visitors, wellness, safety, and a lasting economic benefit to our community. One local business person told me “You don’t have to be a trail user to cash the check.”

The opportunity ahead is clearly confirmed by the MSU survey. We need to create more visibility and promotion. Our unique confluence of land and water make our region ideal for growth and expanded usage. It is time for The Top Of Michigan Trails Council to provide that visibility and access. Therefore, we are taking a big step and have purchased a six month option for the purpose of acquiring the Ultimate Trailhead. It is the Limestone Cottage on M119 at the junction of our Wheelway and our Northwestern State Trail. Our capital campaign is underway with strong initial support. This visible, accessible, historic building will be the hub and “go to” for all things Trails. It will be the welcome center for all area Trails with electronic displays, maps, training, events and welcoming support. The positive leverage that this “Trails Chamber of Commerce” will provide, raises the Trail benefits throughout our region. This is our unique opportunity!

Your continued membership and financial support turn these great opportunities into reality. Thank you, Steve Biggs

Board of Directors for the Top of Michigan

Trails Council 501(c)(3) non-profit

Steve Biggs, President Petoskey

Luther Kurtz, Vice President

Charlevoix

Jim Conboy, Treasurer

Cheboygan

Lucas Porath, Secretary Charlevoix

Renee Allen Petoskey

John Gravlin Cheboygan

Christian Janssens Petoskey

Karen Langs PetoskeyBill Prall

Harbor Springs

Max Putters Petoskey

Steve Schnell Cheboygan

Jim Schroeder Petoskey

Mike Sheean Boyne City

Susan Irish Stewart Harbor Springs

Connie Vorenkamp Brutus

John Winn Charlevoix

STAFFJeff Winegard,

Executive DirectorEmily Meyerson,

Trails Coordinator

Visit our website at: www.trailscouncil.orgCOVER PHOTO CREDIT: Winnie Johnson

Would you like to receive regular updates regarding our trail system? Send an email to ed@trailscouncil.org and we will add your name to our contact list.

Financial StatementThe Top of Michigan Trails Council is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that depends on donations, memberships, grants and fundraising activities to pay for its operations. Restricted funds shown on the balance sheet are maintained by the Trails Council on behalf of local trail committees that have raised money to be used as the local match for state and federal trail development funding.

Revenues Unrestricted Contributions & Grants Temp. Restricted Contrib. & Grants Fundraisers Other

Total Revenues

Expenses: Trail Projects Management and General Fundraising

Total Expenses

Change in Net Assets

Net Assets Beginning of Year

Net Assets End of Year

Net Assets End of Year: Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted

Complete financials are available on request.

Top of Michigan Trails Council Statement of Activities Year Ended December 31

Schedule of Events for the 2015 Trail Season:6th Annual Emmet County Smart Commute Week – June 1–5

Bike Ride to Annual Meeting at Harbor Springs Airport – June 25, 6pm

8th Annual Kayak/Bike Biathlon in Indian River – July 19, 9am

4rd Annual Chalk and Chocolate on the Little Traverse Wheelway – August 15, 10am

Diamonds and Denim - Fundraiser for the Ultimate Trailhead – September 19, 6pm

5th Annual Rail Run 100 – Ultramarathon from Gaylord to Mackinaw City of the North Central State Trail – October 3, 6am

OTHER PROJECTS:Current Trail amenity development with partner agencies: * Indian River Trailhead, Partner Tuscarora Township and DNR, Cheboygan County; engineering complete, construction 2015

* Tannery Creek Trailhead, Partner Bear Creek Township, Emmet County and DNR, Emmet County; acquisition in progress

* North Central State Trail Amenities, Partners – many, Otsego and Cheboygan Counties

* North Eastern State Trail Amenities, Partners – many, Alpena, Presque Isle and Cheboygan Counties

* Gaylord Trailhead, Partner City of Gaylord and Gaylord Chamber of Commerce, Otsego County; property acquisition in progress

* Alpena Trailhead, Partner City of Alpena and Alpena Township; grant writing in progress

* Aloha Trailside Park, Aloha Township; conceptual plans in progress

* Wolverine Trailhead project, Partner Village of Wolverine, Nunda Township and DNR, Cheboygan County, funding in progress

MISSION STATEMENTOur mission is to advocate for and facilitate the development

and maintenance of a safe, multi-use, year-round

recreational trail systemin Northern Michigan

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E m m e tE m m e t

C h e b o y g a nC h e b o y g a n

P r e s q u e I s l eP r e s q u e I s l e

M o n t m o r e n c yM o n t m o r e n c y

C h a r l e v o i xC h a r l e v o i x

Northern Lower PeninsulaTrail Network

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Trails

North Central State Trail

North Eastern State Trail

North Western State Trail

Rogers City Spur

Alpena to Hillman

Little Traverse Wheelway

Huron Sunrise Trail

Alpena Bi-Path

Charlevoix Twp. Bike Path

Presque Isle Trail

Burt Lake Trail

Proposed Trails

Cheboygan

Mackinaw City

Petoskey

East Jordan

Rogers City

Boyne City

Boyne Falls

Harbor Springs

Charlevoix

Elk Rapids

Gaylord

Indian River

Hillman Alpena

Onaway

Alanson

Posen

Pellston

Vanderbilt

Wolverine

Aloha

Millersburg

Hawks

Topinabee

Metz

Tower

201477,645

120,42614,244

6,261

$218,576

131,43663,20811,252

$205,896

12,680

143,306

$155,986

69,27886,708

$155,986

201362,342

161,89622,827

6,084

$253,149

202,95461,08016,246

$280,280

(27,131)

170,437

$143,306

45,58897,718

$143,306

201243,513

219,93918,50312,271

$294,226

204,23662,32111,616

$278,173

16,053

154,384

$170,437

32,021138,416

$170,437

TOP OF MICHIGAN TRAILS COUNCIL STRATEGIC TRAIL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2015: