Walkers, bikers enjoy new trail in Ironwood

IRONWOOD - Opened to the public for a week, the Ironwood end of the non-motorized trail has been receiving positive feedback.

On Wednesday, the Montreal River bridge was christened by Ironwood and Hurley officials, marking a major footstep for the Western Gateway Trail and Gov. Rick Snyder's goal of Michigan becoming the trail state.

"The governor announced three years ago that he wants Michigan to be a trail state and this is the key part of the trail," said Paul Anderson, WGTA member.

Snyder called for a trail from Detroit's Belle Isle to Ironwood, later named the Iron Belle Trail. The Western Gateway Trail would be its final northwestern leg.

Over the past couple days, hikers, bikers and skateboarders alike have tried out the new trail.

While on a leisurely stroll Monday, Ironwood resident Nick Lahti and his friend, Mike Asunto, pictured themselves using trail on skateboards.

"It's easily accessible," Lahti said. "We can definitely use this on skateboards. It's so flat."

Lahti said he plans to go skateboarding on the trail on a daily basis.

Ironwood City Manager Scott Erickson said other regional residents have echoed Lahti's comments.

"We have received positive comments on the bridge and the trail itself," he said. "Residents are appreciative of it. It was busy over the weekend, from people riding bikes, hiking and pushing strollers."

Riding her bike along the trail on Monday, Wendy Cumper said she loves the flatness of the trail.

"You don't have many hills on the trail," she said.

Compared to riding on city streets, Cumper said the trail is more scenic.

"I like the open area, the woods," she said."I saw a deer earlier. It's not bad."

Fellow bike riders Jane Waitanek and her husband, Jim, said they've been riding on the trail for days now.

"This is our third day (using it)," Jane said. "We love it."

Erickson said signs are going to be put up to direct people where to go.

Seven years ago, Anderson said the trail was nothing more than an idea.

A group of devoted local citizens came up with a campaign to promote healthy living to attract younger people.

To promote the campaign, Anderson said one member went to Nicolet Badger Northern Railroad in 2012 to obtain the path that would become the Western Gateway Trail. Then, Department of Natural Resources acquired the parcels from the railroad company.

After that, Anderson said the Western Upper Peninsula Convention and Visitors Bureau committed six years of a portion of their proceeds to the trail. The first year, Anderson said, went to the city of Ironwood.

Anderson said years two through six of the proceeds are designated for the remainder of the WGTA in Gogebic County.