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IRON MOUNTAIN -- New multi-use trails on Dickinson County property to the west of Pine Mountain ski jump are getting a lot of use as part of a development that will have "a multi-million dollar" impact, the president of Dickinson Trail Network said Monday.
Chad Susott updated the county board on existing trails and discussed the non-profit group's future plans, including trails at Pine Mountain Resort that will have public access.
To date, Dickinson County has 40 miles of new trails as a result of DTN-funded projects, including the 1-mile Pine Snake, a family-friendly route that has made difficult terrain accessible near the ski jump scaffold, Susott said.
He thanked the board for making the property available and said DTN "looks forward to working with the county" in the years ahead.
Susott said the Pine Snake is "easily walkable," while three other shorter trails at Pine Mountain are recommended only for mountain bikes or advanced users. All but the Log Slide, a quarter-mile downhill plunge, have been completed.
Earlier this year, plans were revealed by the new owners of Pine Mountain Resort to spend $260,000 on bike trails that will be open to the public as part of a business expansion approved for tax abatements.
DTN is working with Storie Co. to help plan and maintain the trails, Susott said, adding liability insurance is one of the final hurdles. "It's going to be an incredible asset to this area," he said. Steve Veihl, DTN's trail designer, has been instrumental in that project and others, he added.
DTN is responsible for the 24-mile Ogee Trail System in Norway as well as the Millie Hill Trail System in Iron Mountain and has an agreement with the Fumee Lake Natural Area to maintain its trails.
A state grant of $183,000 will assist a new 6-mile trail on Iron Mountain's Pewabic Hill, just to the east of the 5-mile Millie Hill grouping.
The volunteer group, which sponsored this past weekend's Tour de Dickinson, also works to establish bike routes on paved roads. The family bike ride Saturday drew 145 participants and Susott encouraged the county board to explore grants to provide more paved routes.
Board members expressed their appreciation, with Commissioner Barbara Kramer noting the county has stepped up its pursuit of grants.
In other action, the board:
-- Approved payment of $215,449 to pave Cheese Factory Road in Breen Township. In March 2022, the board had committed $288,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funds to the Dickinson County Road Commission. That leaves a balance of $72,551 that can be used by the commission on other local roads.
-- Heard Commissioner Joe Stevens compliment everyone involved in Kingsford's Aug. 3-6 centennial. "The workers and organizers did a fantastic job," he said. "Volunteers came out and helped. Kingsford celebrated 100 years very well." Sheriff Scott Rutter said his department assisted Kingsford Public Safety at the Lodal Park event, which "went well."
-- Approved a request from Iron Mountain Public Arts Advisory to host an art fair at Lake Antoine Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, subject to meeting insurance requirements.