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Iosco Exploration Trail
Connecting Communities in Iosco
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July 2021 IET Newsletter |
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Loon Lake Trail, IET Phase 2, Gets a Parking Lot! |
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Loon Lake Trail, AKA IET Phase 2, was completed in late 2019. Check out the new parking area which contains 2 handicapped
spaces. Lovely and smooth surface!
We continue to spread the news about this trail in Hale through social media and on our website. Check out what trail users have said:
"I just discovered this & started walking it recently! Lovely trail!"
"This trail is also great in winter/ snowshoeing."
"Easy trail! Good for whole family!"
"Great area with views of Loon Lake and tall red pine stands. It’s 2 miles from Kokosing entrance to park entrance and back. Love this trail!!"
"Such a wonderful trail"
"It’s a nice little walk"
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If you've not seen the Loon Lake Trail, take a virtual ride.....
Video created by John Stachlewicz
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"Once completed, the Iosco Exploration Trail, as part of the Iron Belle Trail, will offer local families and visitors outstanding opportunities to enjoy getting out and having a good time in Michigan’s great outdoors. From the inspiring overlooks of the Au Sable River to the quiet pathways through the Huron-Manistee National Forest, the trail will give people unique chances to see our state’s natural beauty. I was proud to support a Natural Resources Trust Fund investment in the trail, and I look forward to seeing the trail completed for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy for generations to come."
Senator Jim Stamas
June 2021
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"Public Spaces Community Places"
A Great Opportunity for the IET
Will you help us?
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We have an enormous opportunity to make a HUGE impact on the local community, but we need your help!
The IET was approved to participate in the Public Spaces Community Places donation grant match program to help close the funding gap for phase 3 of the Iosco Exploration Trail from Oscoda schools to Old Orchard Park. As part of this opportunity, the IET has started a crowdfunding campaign to raise $50,000 in 60 days to receive a match of $50,000 from Michigan Economic Development Corporation. We have the potential to close this funding gap by $100,000! Every donation will be DOUBLED!
We are asking residents, visitors, business owners,
and IET supporters to back this effort
for the benefit of the community.
Take a moment, check out the campaign, donate and DOUBLE your gift!
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC.
Learn more about the Public Spaces Community Places donation match
for IET with the MEDC press release on July 1st, here:
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Please join us
for a super fun night of cornhole, laughs, eating, and drinks! Tournament players, backyard players, and all non-players welcome! Help us make this first annual event a great one!!
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Looking for event sponsors
A BIG thank you to our current "In the Wild"
IET Cornhole Tournament sponsors:
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Senator Jim and Marsha Stamas
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Wildcat News
By Brian Pritchett, Wildcat Committee Chair
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Wildcat MTB trail is quickly becoming a challenging trail for all skill levels. Our team is focused heavily on raising funds to help with trail areas marked in "red" that you can see below. Securing funds for equipment will truly allow us to create sections of the trail that will define the trails. We're working to implement everything from challenging climbs, rock gardens, and trails that run alongside bluffs that overlook the river. Our team has worked hard with the hand tools we have but we are at the point that using powered equipment will truly allow us to deliver a world class trail to the community.
If you are new to the sport of mountain biking follow our facebook page "Iosco Bikes and Trails". You will learn about weekly trail rides. You will quickly recognize that mountain biking is an all inclusive activity. It's a growing group that enjoys pushing their personal limits and taking on new challenges! Head out to the trailhead located at Foote Site overlook and see what the excitement is all about. Don't hesitate to bring out your kids and spouse, the trail is for everyone. The more users of the trail the better it will become for the community!
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Do you SMILE with Amazon?
AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the Iosco Exploration Trail when you sign up to use Amazon Smile. Follow the link, select the IET as your charity of choice, and shop Amazon like normal!
Follow the link to sign up for AmazonSmile, today!
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"So far the new additions to the trails are exactly what has been missing out here. You guys doing all the hard work are amazing!"
~ Dylan England
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The IET in Phases: Phase Updates |
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IET Phase 1
IET Phase 1 is complete and runs from AuSable, Mill St., to Oscoda down River Road to Oscoda Schools.
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IET Phase 2 aka Loon Lake Trail
IET Phase 2 is complete and runs from Loon Lake Park in Hale, MI, along the water and through the woods, over bridges and with beautiful scenery to Kokosing Rd.
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IET Phase 3 Update
By Doug Schultz,
Director of Landscape Architecture at ROWE
To date, preliminary engineering plans and cost opinions in Oscoda Twp have been prepared in conjunction with grant applications to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and other local match funding options. The trail route is approximately 5.3 miles from Richardson Elementary School to Old Orchard Campground. This has included extensive public engagement and coordination with stakeholders including the Iosco County Road Commission, Consumers Energy, National Forest Service, and MDNR. Preliminary investigations have been completed for cultural and environmental reviews and permitting.
Next steps include submittal of the plans to MDOT as part of the project review process prior to advertisement and bid letting in the fall.
Construction is contingent on securing United States Forest Service (USFS) easements and a Consumers license for portions of the path and confirmation of the trail alignment based on Forest Service / Consumers environmental reviews that are on-going.
What can you do?
A Patronicity Grant has been launched by the IET Committee. Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. The campaign is looking to raise $50,000 to be matched 1:1 by MEDC if we reach our goal.
This will help complete the final funding gap of a $2.4 million dollar phase of the IET. To date, nearly 90 percent of the project has been funded through other state, federal, and private foundation funding through nine different grants. Current funding allows completion of the project through Foote Village but the Patronicity Campaign will help leverage funding to complete the project to Old Orchard Campground.
This is the final stretch and this Patronicity grant is directed at the Oscoda community, the residents, businesses, and other local interests to show its support for something that will provide generations of value and quality of life benefits.
Patronicity IET local match campaign was launched July 1 across Iosco Exploration Trail social media, newsletters, website, and within the local community for support.
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Phase 4
Waiting on grant approvals. Gotta love that waiting game!
More to come!
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"We love the Loon Lake Trail. We hike it very often with our kids in all seasons! Such a beautiful job done there."
~Lisa Hamilton, Plainfield Twp
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IET MERCH
Orange and green water bottles and
black tool kegs
$10 + $3 shipping
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Go to the IET Merch page to order today! |
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"We love making the trip up to oscoda to mountain bike the trails! The Wildcat trail is well maintained with scenic views of the Ausable River throughout the whole ride! The trails have a fair amount of elevation as well! I would highly recommended these trails to anyone who likes to mountain bike, no need to be an expert but be ready to have fun!"
~Ashley Jordan, Bay City Resident
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Business Sponsors & Partners
Iosco Exploration Trail depends on the generosity and support of
our community partners and sponsors. We want to thank the following businesses for their support, enthusiasm and dedication to the IET and Wildcat Mountain Bike Trail here in Iosco County.
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Caught with pictures of the Loon Lake Trail at work.....
Kyle Provoast, Hale resident, was caught with these adorable pictures on his desk at Ascension. They are of a family outing to Loon Lake Trail at Loon Lake Park.
Kyle and family, we're so happy you are getting out and enjoying this gorgeous section of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail!!! Thank you!
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"Good place [Loon Lake Trail] to stretch your legs on a hidden gem."
~Kyle Provoast, Hale resident
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For more information about the Iosco Exploration Trail as part of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail, please visit Ioscoexplorationtrail.org
Consider a gift to the IET as a one-time contribution or set up a recurring monthly or annual donation. Please visit:
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Iosco Exploration Trail - PO Box 563 - Hale, MI 48739 - (989) 750 5489
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