Love the finally fully paved Leelanau Trail? You've got Frank Noverr to thank, and the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails has done just that, awarding Noverr its ninth annual Jim Mudgett Trail Pioneer Award. Noverr has proved instrumental in the development of the Leelanau Trail since its beginnings in 1995 and most recently, its paved ending in Suttons Bay: Noverr funded the successful $37,500 challenge match last January to help TART reach its $500,000 Leelanau Trail Paving Campaign goal. “Frank Noverr saw the potential of an old rail corridor," says TART Trails Board President Brian Fisher. "He gave his time and resources to get the trail on the ground, including the initial down payment on the land purchase. Nearly 20 years later, he came back and helped finish the trail. As a result, the Leelanau Trail is here for generations to enjoy." (Noverr, pictured above at right, accepts the award from one of last year's Mudgett award winners, John Robert Williams.)