The Pathways to Sleeping Bear campaign has reached the million dollar milestone in private fundraising. Campaign tri-chair Karen Van Nort shares her excitement, “We are delighted to celebrate hitting the million dollar mark in private funds for our campaign on the first day of spring. Support from the local community and seasonal visitors helped us reach this milestone in the campaign.” Local residents Bill and Vicki Anderson, who were among the first supporters of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (SBHT), have issued a challenge pledge with a 2:1 match for all donations to the new trail through the end of March. The campaign still needs to raise $100,000 in order to secure the full Anderson Challenge match of $50,000. Bill Anderson shared his family’s motivation for posing the challenge match, “This summer, 10 years of planning and effort will become a reality for the first 5-mile link of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. To help sustain the momentum and encourage additional financial support we are offering a match of $50,000 if the $100,000 goal is reached by March 31st.”
The first section of trail connecting Glen Arbor to the Dune Climb will completed this July. The trail will provide easy, car-free access to amenities and attractions including the DH Day Campground, Glen Haven, Glen Arbor and the Dune Climb.
The SBHT campaign must raise $400,000 for design and engineering to extend the trail south from the Dune Climb to Empire. Donors of $1,000 or more will be recognized at a permanent donor plaza located at the Dune Climb. Well-known local artist Glenn Wolff created an illustrated map of the trail and donors of $5,000 or more will receive a limited edition signed print.
To donate or learn more about the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail please visit www.sleepingbeartrail.org or contact Pam Darling, Development Director for TART Trails (pam@traversetrails.org or 231-941-4300).
