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Crawford County - Iron Belle Trail
Recent NEWS about the Iron Belle Trail development in Crawford County:
View drawings of the proposed Iron Belle Trail phases in Crawford County.
Phase I:
The MDNR anticipates completion of 2 miles of paved trail along Higgins Lake Drive leading up to the entrance to North Higgins Lake State Park in 2017. The remaining development phase of the trail will follow the route of the "Cradle of Forestry Trail" in North Higgins Lake State Park and end at Fletcher Road, is anticipated to be completed in 2018. Read a June 12, 2017 Press Release on the progress of this the 2 mile segment along Higgins Lake Drive. View a map of this phase.
Phase III:
In April 2017, the Charter Township of Grayling applied for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant for "Phase III" of the Iron Belle Trail Route through Crawford County. View a map of this project area. This is a proposed 4.8-mile long, paved non-motorized trail connecting the new Kirtland Community College Health Sciences Center at 4 Mile Road and I-75 in Grayling Township to where the City of Grayling Bike Route starts at Huron St. and Brink St.
Additionally, in May 2017 the Crawford County Road Commission applied for an MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to fund the majority of construction of Phase III. The estimated cost of the trail development is $1,978,700. Commitments for required match funding for both of these grants have been generously provided by Kirtland Community College, Charter Township of Grayling, the City of Grayling, Crawford County, and the MDNR.
Other Information on the Iron Belle Trail Development in Crawford County:
The City of Grayling applied for an MNRTF Grant in April 2017 for the development of a regional trailhead facility near the City Hall complex, as well as a short connector trail along W. North Down River Road to the existing Grayling Non-Motorized Turnpike. View designs of this project.
View NEMCOG's Jan. 18, 2017 PowerPoint Presentation to the Crawford County Economic Development Partnership group about the background of the IBT and status of trail planning in the County.