Michigan officials celebrate trail opening

LAND O’ LAKES, Wis. — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, Senator Tom Casperson and State Representative Scott Dianda signed a special tribute last week to celebrate recently completed LL Trail for its the grand opening on Aug. 22.

In the tribute, the three of them thanked the Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and Environment, the Ottawa National Forest and the Parks and Recreation Division of Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their collaborative work they’ve done in the development and implementation of the 26-mile multipurpose route.

Janet Miesbauer, MI—TRALE Communications Coordinator, said the trail connects Land O’ Lakes, Wis. to the Bond Falls Recreation area near Watersmeet in Michigan.

In the tribute, it said “the LL Trail is an example of what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together.”

To officially open the trail, MI—TRALE and Land O’ Lakes Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony. Miesbauer said the ceremony also honored “Buck” Obukowicz, who loved ATV-ing and rode extensively in Wisconsin and Michigan with his family.

According the release, the multi-use route is the first step in link the two states with a managed multi-purpose trail system.

On the route, Meisbaurr said riders will travel along scenic wooded areas with numerous river crossings, through the town of Watersmeet and to Bond Falls, the second largest waterfall in Michigan.

Being a multi-purpose trail, Miesbauer said, horses and bicycles are welcome on the trail.

Since the trail opened, Miesbauer said it was been a success.

“So far public and governmental reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said. “We hope the trail will benefit the tourism industry in northern Wisconsin as well as the Upper Peninsula.