Funding to Extend Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail Announced
A $1.6 million federal grant will help extend the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin announced Tuesday.
"Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was rated the most beautiful place in America," said Senator Stabenow. "With the extension of the Heritage Trail, we can increase safe access to the sights, sounds and beauty of the Lakeshore while promoting one of our state's top tourist attractions."
"This trail helps connect visitors to one of Michigan's true jewels, the beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes," Senator Levin said. "The organizations and communities involved in planning and building the trail have done tremendous work together, and I'm pleased that this latest round of federal support will boost their efforts."
The U.S. Department of Transportation grant will support the construction of the trail segment running from the heart of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District eastward towards Good Harbor Bay.
Construction of the trail began in August of 2011, and the first segment, four miles of trail from the Dune Climb to Glen Arbor, opened in June.
So far, nearly $8 million in federal funding has helped bring the trail to life. Plans are for the full trail to extend 27 miles throughout the lakeshore, connecting the park's most popular attractions and beaches with its nearby communities.
For more information on the trail, visit www.sleepingbeartrail.org.
