LANSING, Mich. – A new pedestrian bridge crossing the Boardman-Ottaway River is set to enhance connectivity across Northern Michigan’s trail network. The 160-foot bridge, being constructed at the former site of the Sabin Dam in Grand Traverse County’s Natural Education Reserve, aims to link over 40 miles of regional trails. This ambitious project is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Friends of the Grand Traverse Conservation District through a crowdfunding campaign hosted on the Patronicity platform.
If the fundraising goal of $50,000 is achieved by July 31, the project will receive a matching grant from MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program, doubling the funds available for construction. More details and donation options can be found at patronicity.com/crossing.
MEDC Regional Development Managing Director Paula Holtz emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Trail networks are one of the most unrestricted and open access forms of recreation and public space. This footbridge will create connected networks of these trails, and we are pleased to provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
The Ottaway Crossing Footbridge is part of broader restoration efforts at the Natural Education Reserve, which include riverbank stabilization, native tree and shrub planting, and invasive species management. These efforts aim to transform the area into a prominent recreational destination in Northern Michigan.
Executive Director Koffi Kpachavi of the Friends of the Grand Traverse Conservation District expressed the significance of the project: “The Friends of the Grand Traverse Conservation District is thrilled to partner with Public Spaces Community Places, a program of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to help us close the campaign for the Ottaway Crossing Footbridge, the critical link that will connect 40+ miles of regional trails in Northern Michigan. But we need your help! If we meet our $50,000 goal, your donation will be doubled by a grant from the MEDC, which will close the $100,000 funding gap needed to complete construction.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative, a collaboration between MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, allows residents to participate in community development projects through crowdfunding, which MEDC supports with matching grants. Interested communities, nonprofits, and businesses can apply through https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League, highlighted the benefits of the bridge: “The completion of this footbridge will provide multiple benefits for Grand Traverse County. Once fully connected, these trails will attract members from within and outside the community, and they will give users an amazing way to form connections with each other and the world around them.”
Since its inception in 2014, the Public Spaces Community Places initiative has facilitated more than $16.8 million through 77,110 individual contributions, achieving a 97 percent success rate for projects. MEDC has matched over $14.7 million in grants, supporting 428 successful projects statewide.
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