Project Goals
1
Develop a non-motorized trailway between the TART Trails and the Top of Michigan Trails Council networks, connecting multiple communities and over twenty-five protected natural areas throughout three counties to create a 415+ mile trail network in northern Lower Michigan.
2
Create opportunities for everyone to participate in active living and healthy lifestyles through year-round outdoor recreation and active transportation, while providing access to the region’s iconic shoreline and showcasing the region’s phenomenal cultural and natural resources.
3
Provide an extraordinary resource for residents of and visitors to northwest Lower Michigan to spur economic development opportunities, enhance regional identity and strengthen vibrant communities.
Nakwema Trailway relies on the generous contributions of donors. Investing in trails is investing in people.
DONATE TODAYNews & Updates
We love an oversized check presentation day!
This morning, TART Trails and Fustini's Oils & Vinegars celebrated a major investment into the Nakwema Trailway.
During the crowdfunding campaign this fall for the Deepwater Connector, the team at Fustini's Oils & Vinegars provided the extra boost we needed to reach our fundraising goal! The Deepwater Connector was completed in December with the final improvements taking place this spring.
This generous contribution is in honor of Bill and JoAnn Gardner.
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Happy New Year to all of you trail lovers!
Are you curious about what the Nakwema Trailway has planned for the new year? Now is the perfect time to sign up for our monthly email newsletter to hear trail planning, building, and maintenance updates as they happen!
Sign up here:
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Happy Holidays from the Nakwema Trailway team! The staff at TART Trails and Top of Michigan Trails Council wish you a very joyful holiday season and a lovely new year! The trails are open for all throughout this busy gathering time. Carve out some precious moments on the trail with your loved ones. Happy trails to all.
📷Photo credit: LilJes Photography
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Exciting Update: Community-Driven Milestone for the Nakwema Trailway!
Thanks to the support and vision of the Eastport and Torch Lake Township community, the Nakwema Trailway has secured a key piece of property at the gateway to Eastport! This marks a major step forward in meeting the community’s desire for a trailhead and opens the door to even greater opportunities for placemaking and connection.
This property acquisition reflects the local enthusiasm and financial support for the Nakwema Trailway. Thanks to the community's generosity, this space will now serve as a foundation for future improvements and partnerships. It also strengthens the trail’s connection to beloved landmarks like Barnes Park, enhancing its role as a hub for recreation, transportation, and community gatherings.
The Trail Team is committed to working with Torch Lake Township to determine how this space will best serve the needs of residents, visitors, and the natural environment.
We extend our gratitude to the donors who made this milestone possible. Together, we took a significant step in solidifying the Nakwema Trailway as a cherished resource for generations to come. This is a celebration of what we can accomplish when community and vision come together!
"Since Eastport is the halfway point between Elk Rapids and Charlevoix, it is exciting that TART was able to purchase a 5-acre parcel there for a future Nakwema trailhead and other community activities. US31 and M88 also intersect at this newly acquired parcel where our residents and visitors will be able to meet, connect, walk, bike, and build a healthier future for our region. A number of Torch Lake Township residents along with several family foundations worked together to bring this purchase to life. It is a key component to help connect our region's established trailways, as well as provide a parcel close to Lake Michigan, adjacent to a county park, and with the possibility of community involvement for all."
-Jenni Hebert
"It has been so inspiring to work on the Torch to Bay Trail Project in Torch Lake Township. Imagining what could be has led our community to join together and purchase a strategic corner property. The property is uniquely situated to serve as a dynamic location for the northern trailhead. It also includes several more acres for our citizens to come together and plan for future use."
-Denise Walker
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Torchport Airport will have a paved runway spring 2025 with visitors loving to hop on the trail to Eastport or Elk Rapids…. Let’s go!!!!
Would be awesome if it connected to Bellaire.
I would like to see a map of the “future” trail, that’s south of this area. Will there be rest rooms along the trail?
