It’s easy to drive from Traverse City to Charlevoix on US-31; now area trails organizations are working to provide a way for non-motorized vehicles to do the same – and potentially extend it to the north and east as well.

The proposed Traverse City to Charlevoix Trail (TVC-CHX Trail) would link the communities of Traverse City, Acme, Elk Rapids, Eastport, Norwood and Charlevoix and on north to Petoskey and Harbor Springs. It would do so by connecting two regional trail networks, the Little Traverse Wheelway on the north and this area’s TART Trail.

TART Trails Executive Director Julie Clark says work in Acme is the first leg, to be followed by connecting Acme to Elk Rapids.

“There have been some interesting developments,” she says. “The first leg is … for next year as part of the Bayside Park.” TART Trails recently received matching funds for trail construction from North Bayside Park to Deepwater Point Natural Area in Acme.

One potential snag beyond Acme could await in Elk Rapids. The Elk Rapids Township Board has rescinded its original resolution of support after several landowners expressed reservations about the trail. Clark says there was support for the trail from those in attendance during a recent meeting, but the Board did not change its stance.

Meanwhile the Village of Elk Rapids has lined up to support the trail (the Village comprises 62 percent of the township population). Elk Rapids Village President Pro-Tem Barb Mullaly issued a statement that “the Village remains supportive of this project and will work with our neighbors and partners to create a trail that serves the community. It is unfortunate the township has chosen to take themselves out of any input regarding process on a trail that will ultimately run through our community.”

Mullaly noted that the trail is included in the Village and Township Collaborative Master Plan and is widely supported by residents

The overall TVC-CHX Trail is referred to on the TART website as “a long-term project,” and Clark declines to put a timetable on it.

“Leelanau took nearly 30 years. I hope we can accelerate that timeline. It’s all about community readiness and support. Michigan is a glacial state,” she adds.

Michigan boasts one of the largest interconnected trail systems in the country. If and when completed, the Traverse City to Charlevoix Trail would link TART’s 28 miles of trail between Suttons Bay and Acme with Top of Michigan Trails Council’s 26-mile Little Traverse Wheelway Trail. Closing that 46-mile gap would create a 325-mile non-motorized transportation and recreation trail network. A concept plan and development guide was created in December of 2015 by The National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program with TART Trails, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Networks Northwest and Northwest Design Group.

The groups proposing the trail connection cite studies which have shown that trails make communities more livable, improve the economy through tourism, preserve open space, and provide opportunities for physical activity.

And at the point when the Traverse City to Charlevoix Trail is complete – it won’t be all done. The overall vision of TART, the Top of Michigan Trails Council and other groups is to have a completely integrated set of trails throughout northern Michigan. That could include the Heritage Trail in western Leelanau County and the Betsie Valley Trail in Benzie County, as well as trails to the northern and eastern side of the state, including Mackinaw City, Gaylord and Alpena.

“It’s an exciting time,” says Clark. “The community wants it, Acme wants it. We’re excited.”