TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Imagine riding through a beautifully crafted mountain bike trail right in the heart of Traverse City. This vision is set to become a reality as the Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association (NMMBA) collaborates with Garfield Township. Their goal: to establish a sustainable mountain bike trail at the Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area.
The ambitious project is backed by a crowdfunding campaign announced by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and NMMBA. If the campaign achieves its goal of raising $27,000 by October 13, it will receive a matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. For more details or to contribute, please visit patronicity.com/commons.
Paula Holtz, MEDC’s Managing Director for Regional Development, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Creating public recreation opportunities that are free and sustainably developed is just what our Public Spaces Community Places program was meant for.”
The funds raised will enable NMMBA to develop an initial demonstration trail, setting a new standard for park and trail design. Known as “The Secret Stash,” this historical trail will be transformed into a sustainable flow trail. Tim Pulliam, NMMBA City Trails Coordinator, expressed gratitude for the MEDC’s support, stating, “Matching our local donations dollar-for-dollar will give us the resources needed to deliver a world-class, professionally built demonstration trail that protects the forest floor while welcoming riders of all skill levels.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative is a collaboration between the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, aiming to involve residents in community development projects through crowdfunding, matched by MEDC grants. Communities, nonprofits, and businesses can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, highlighted the cultural significance of the project: “Outdoor recreation is a huge part of Michigan’s culture, and free, inclusive outdoor spaces like the Commons Bike Park are great ways for people to get outside, get exercise and develop their mountain bike abilities.”
Since its inception in 2014, the PSCP initiative has facilitated community improvements across Michigan by matching funds up to $50,000. By August 12, 2026, MEDC had awarded over $15.7 million in matching grants, supporting 449 successful projects with contributions from 81,183 donors, boasting a 97 percent success rate in reaching funding goals.
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