Important Information

Nestled just south of downtown Traverse City, Michigan, a picturesque 4.2-mile shared use pathway has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike. The award-winning Boardman Lake Loop Trail, a local community project with a big impact, now stands as a shining example of how creative and cooperative planning can improve the quality of life for a community while preserving the surrounding environment.

The vision for the Boardman Lake Loop Trail was to create a safe and accessible pathway for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy the scenic beauty of Boardman Lake while connecting popular locations like Medalie Park, Northwestern Michigan College, and Logan’s Landing. The trail meanders through diverse landscapes with a mix of pavement, boardwalk, overlooks, and gravel surfaces while offering a balance of tranquil wooded segments and urban settings with commercial access. From the initial planning stages to ribbon-cutting, the success of this long-standing dream has been over two decades in the making, and the completion of this loop has proven well worth the wait.

An exceptional aspect of the Boardman Lake Loop Trail lies in its seamless integration with the environment. Careful consideration was given to protecting the area’s biodiverse habitats and indigenous species. A boardwalk over the cove was thoughtfully designed to minimize interference with wildlife, offering trail users an up-close and personal view of the lake’s natural wonders without disturbing the habitats. In addition to the boardwalk, the project prioritized shoreline restoration, planting native wetland vegetation and incorporating sustainable materials such as FSC-certified Ipe hardwood and weathering steel for bridges. The result is a multi-use trail that showcases the wonders of nature while promoting environmental preservation.

Prein&Newhof Project Manager Scott Post, PE says, “The Boardman Lake Loop Trail has become more than just a recreational path; it has become a piece of the community’s landscape and has completed an important commuter route for nonmotorized travelers.” The path’s accessibility has been designed with equity in mind, ensuring individuals of all ages and abilities can experience what the trail has to offer. From joggers and cyclists to fishermen and kayakers, the trail caters to a diverse range of interests, fostering a healthier and more active community. Large lake overlooks and several pocket park nodes were paved with decorative concrete, including benches and interpretive sign locations. These nodes are spaced along the trail at key locations to encourage all users to enjoy the views of nature while resting.

The project’s success is owed in large part to the collaborations between the City of Traverse City, TART Trails, Grand Traverse County, Garfield Township, and other key project partners. Public and private partnerships secured an impressive $8.9 million investment, showcasing the power of local cooperation and philanthropy in building a treasure for the community. Beyond its social and environmental benefits, the Boardman Lake Loop Trail has proven itself as a wise economic investment for the future of the Traverse City area. The trail’s emphasis on sustainable materials and long-term maintenance planning has reduced current costs and ensured its financial viability for years to come.

Prein&Newhof provided preliminary and geotechnical design, topographic surveying and mapping, trail design development, structural design, construction drawings, and assistance with many public meetings during each phase of the project. Throughout construction, Prein&Newhof also provided field observation alongside project contractor and excavator Team Elmer’s. Crews worked through the winter, not only facing the challenges of weather, but also the difficulties of constructing a boardwalk over a shallow cove in the lake. A floating swamp excavator was used to drive the boardwalk piles and access timber piling locations, utilizing GPS points provided by Prein&Newhof’s survey crew. This ensured precise locations for pile positioning in the middle of the lake with enough clearance under the boardwalk for future kayakers.

The community’s excitement for the project has been palpable from the very beginning. Public engagement was central to the trail’s development, with stakeholders actively participating in community engagement workshops and encouraging the public to offer their vital insights. Social media updates and local media coverage generated anticipation and a sense of ownership among the area residents who eagerly awaited the trail’s completion.

Prein&Newhof, in partnership with TART Trails, Team Elmers, and local government bodies, received the prestigious Honorable Conceptor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan. This award recognizes the engineering excellence behind the trail’s design and execution, highlighting the collective effort of the project team in realizing a decades-old dream.

Today, the Boardman Lake Loop Trail stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and foresight in creating a lasting impact on both the community and the environment. Traverse City’s new “hidden” gem has become a symbol of connectivity and organizational cooperation, showcasing the ways civil engineers, landscape architects, and local government and organizational leaders can work together to make a real difference in building the foundation for the highest quality of life for their community.

If you have interest in creating distinctive shared use pathways and want to see farther for your community, call Scott Post, PE at 616-364-8491.

In the heart of Grand Haven Charter Township, a new recreational haven has emerged, thanks to the generosity of Jim Schmidt and the collective effort of numerous stakeholders. Schmidt Heritage Park is a sprawling public recreation site that stands as a testament to effective community collaboration and innovative planning. The journey began with a significant donation from Jim Schmidt, a local businessman committed to preserving his family’s legacy. Schmidt donated nearly 75 acres of land to the Township with the condition that the park must be completed by a specific deadline or the land would revert to him. This stipulation set the stage for an ambitious project requiring meticulous planning and swift execution.

Prein&Newhof was enlisted by Grand Haven Charter Township to transform Schmidt’s vision into reality. The team, led by Project Manager Kevin Kieft, PE, had a role that encompassed everything from planning and budgeting to community engagement and utility coordination. The challenge was not just to design and build, but to do so within a tight timeframe while ensuring the park met the diverse needs of the community. Prein&Newhof’s comprehensive services included soil borings, groundwater testing, topsoil evaluation, site and drainage design, and the design of essential infrastructure such as sanitary sewers and water mains. The diverse team of engineers and landscape architects also developed detailed conceptual renderings, cost estimates, and site designs to guide the project from start to finish.

To address the community’s recreational needs, Grand Haven Charter Township and Prein&Newhof’s landscape architecture team, led by Matt Levandoski, PLA, collaborated with the Northwest Ottawa Recreation Commission. The team conducted thorough assessments to determine the optimal sizes and configurations for soccer, baseball, and softball fields. They also engaged with the local pickleball community to confirm that the design of twelve pickleball courts would make the park a prime destination for future tournaments. Designing the park required extensive consultation with experts across various fields, including irrigation and turf management. This collaborative approach would help the park to not only meet the community’s current needs but also to be sustainable and easy to maintain in the long term.

Following the successful passage of a recreational millage funded by the community, construction began during the winter of 2022. Accurate cost estimates and engaging renderings had successfully generated excitement and support, paving the way for this critical step in breaking ground. The first phase included the construction of soccer fields, baseball and softball fields, pickleball courts, trails, restrooms, shelters, and parking areas. The site’s underground infrastructure, including water mains and sanitary sewers, was completed during the winter months before mass grading began to maintain a smooth process.

Prein&Newhof played an important role throughout the construction process, providing detailed project administration from construction staking to overseeing the development of park amenities. CopperRock Construction served as the general contractor and worked to bring the design to life, including the complete construction of key facilities like restrooms and boardwalks. The project’s success was bolstered by the emphasis on using local subcontractors, which not only supported the local economy but also encouraged the project’s completion to the highest standards.

The newly constructed Schmidt Heritage Park now offers a diverse array of recreational opportunities. Active spaces include soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds, and pickleball courts, while passive areas like the “Jo-Jo Jogging Trail” feature trails through wooded uplands and elevated boardwalks. The park also includes shelters for gatherings and organized activities, enhancing its role as a gathering place for the community. The involvement of local recreational groups was instrumental in tailoring the park to community needs and confirming that the facilities would support the expansion of local sports and activities. The establishment of a maintenance fund through the community foundation secures the park’s ongoing upkeep and service quality while reflecting a commitment to long-term sustainability.

The completion of Schmidt Heritage Park marks a significant milestone for Grand Haven Charter Township. It highlights a successful collaboration between a dedicated donor, a proactive design and construction team, and an engaged community. The park not only provides a venue for various recreational activities but also embodies the heart of the Township’s slogan: “Live Where You Play.”

As the park continues to thrive, it stands as a lasting tribute to Jim Schmidt’s vision and the community’s dedication to enhancing local recreational opportunities. The project’s success demonstrates the importance of community involvement, detailed planning, and creative problem-solving in achieving shared goals. Schmidt Heritage Park is more than just a recreational facility; it is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to create something truly special.

Does your community need assistance with creating recreational spaces? Call Matt Levandoski, PLA at 616-364-8491.

While it only took eight months from the start of construction to project completion, the City of Ludington’s new Legacy Plaza has been a community dream for well over 35 years. With the help of a generous grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through a Community Development Block Grant, the vision of Legacy Plaza finally became a reality for this small lakeshore community.

July 1, 2021 marked a special day in the history of Ludington. On a picture-perfect summer day, members of the community gathered downtown to celebrate and dedicate this $2.1 million project on what was formerly North James Street, between Ludington Avenue and Court Street. The plaza is designed to honor the legacy of the Native Americans—the Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi tribes—living along the shores of Lake Michigan and nearby forests, as well as the lumber and maritime industries that grew the community of Ludington to become what it is today.

Legacy Plaza is a welcoming space in the heart of downtown and includes a farmers market pavilion, restroom facility, raised performance stage, gas fireplace with seating wall, decorative lighting, green space and native rain gardens, as well as site furnishings tied together with decorative concrete and landscaping.

Those who dedicated the new space included Ludington Mayor Steve Miller, Ludington Community Development Director Heather Tykoski, Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Sue Devries, 35th District State Senator Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), and a representative of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Jay Sam, who performed a ritual ceremony. The Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce performed the ribbon-cutting.

Prein&Newhof provided site design, water main and storm water sewer design, landscape architecture, and construction observation services. Members of the Prein&Newhof design and construction observation team included Matt Hulst, PE, Project Manager; and Landscape Architects Matt Levandoski, PLA, Paul Reinhold, PLA, and Collin Manns. Matt Tipping, PE from Century AE oversaw the design for the restroom facility, the fireplace, and the site’s electrical needs. Heirloom Carpentry & Construction’s Josh Wickham was the contractor project manager.

While the space is now in use, fundraising will continue to install a few additional features, including an archway, a digital kiosk, and canvas sides for off-season use of the pavilion. Prein&Newhof is proud to see this vision become reality and is honored to see farther with the City of Ludington for the benefit of all those who live in and visit the area.

Plainfield Charter Township recently announced that the State of Michigan awarded the Township a $4.3 million grant to extend municipal drinking water to an additional 147 homes that were not included in the 2020 settlement with Wolverine Worldwide, but that are affected by PFAS in their private wells. Prein&Newhof helped Plainfield Township apply for this Consolidation and Contamination Risk Reduction (C2R2) Grant in January 2021. “We are very happy with the news and excited to continue helping Plainfield Township in this meaningful way,” said Prein&Newhof Project Manager Kevin Gritters, PE.

“This is another positive step in a major, multi-year project to bring municipal drinking water to over 1,000 contaminated properties spread across two townships,” said Gritters. “Last year Plainfield Township was able to add nearly 5 miles of watermain in the public right-of-way, which connected 250 homes to safe drinking water by the end of the construction season. This year, we have been working to help Plainfield Township add another 9 miles of watermain for 300 more homes to be able to connect to its drinking water system. Now with this C2R2 Grant, we can construct an additional 2 miles of water main in the next three years—connecting four more neighborhoods to the municipal water system.”

In 2018, Plainfield Township began a pilot study to remove PFAS from source water at its Drinking Water Treatment Plant. Granulated activated carbon (GAC) material was installed in the water plant’s filtration beds to replace existing rapids sand filters. Following the GAC installation, intensive analytical testing showed that GAC was highly effective at removing PFAS compounds.

In the Spring of 2020, construction began to extend water connections to residents who had the highest levels of PFAS contamination in private wells. Affected properties were prioritized based on PFAS concentrations and water system layout. Last year, contractors connected 250 residential properties (green on the map) to the Township’s municipal water system. Plans are in progress for the remaining properties (blue) to be connected in the next 1–3 years. Recently added are the properties that will be covered by the C2R2 Grant (red):

  • Butternut and Bittersweet neighborhood (2021 construction)
  • Woodwater and Rapidfall neighborhood (2022 construction)
  • Mall, Ripley, and Austerlitz neighborhood (2022 construction)
  • Warwick Glen Drive (2023 construction)

 

This year, contractors are or will be constructing water system extensions in Plainfield and Algoma Townships. You can follow each area’s construction updates here: