Traverse City’s Boardman Lake Loop Improves Area Trail Network

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.

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