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Iosco Exploration Trail
Connecting Communities in Iosco
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Winter 2020 IET Newsletter |
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The Iosco Exploration Trail
Now Well On Its Way
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The Iosco Exploration Trail, as part of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail, has come a long way in the last few years. With Phase 2 in Hale and Phase 3 in Oscoda completed, we're forging ahead to bring the most beautiful trail to Iosco County for all community members to enjoy. From Oscoda / Ausable Twp to Plainfield Twp, Mill St. to River Road and alongside the River Road National Scenic Byway to M-65 and down to Loon Lake Park, the 40 mile long trail will connect communities across Iosco County, offer a Safe Route to School, a safe recreational area to hike, bike, walk, and bird. This nonmotorized pathway was the vision of people who wanted to see Iosco County prosper and grow, and continues to build on the ideals that this beautiful area of Michigan is a treasure and something to enjoy. The Iosco Exploration Trail 501c3 nonprofit was founded to support the trail, some maintenance, trail programming, and community outreach through Iosco County to encourage recreational sports, physical fitness, the positivity of enjoying the outdoors, and mental health awareness. Trails bring an economic boost to the communities they're in and local small businesses in Iosco County will benefit, as will the community residents! Get out and enjoy the trail, today! |
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The Iosco Exploration Trail is a welcome blessing to our community. Took my first walk on the trail a couple of weeks ago and I was thoroughly delighted. I love to walk, and now I feel completely safe not having to worry about the traffic. The trail is very well done, built for the ages and very attractive. It is a plus for our community. It will add years of pleasure to all that use it.
~ Jeanette Gravlin, Iosco Resident
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A Vision Comes to Life
How the IET Came To Be
by Jeffrey Matthews
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I had a vision for a biking, hiking trail system that would loop through Iosco County and connect to the proposed bike path on the sunrise side of the Lake Huron shoreline. This would take riders through Tawas, up US-23, through AuSable and Oscoda, down the River Road National Scenic Byway, through the Huron National Forest, Plainfield Twp, and back into Tawas. I kept that idea to myself for a long time, not having the ability to do anything with it at the time. I love the outdoors, trails, snowmobiling, and this area. I’ve lived here all my life, my father lived here his whole life and my grandfather. My family just loves it here.
Through an opportunity to serve on the County Parks and Rec board while holding a County Commissioner seat, I advocated for a snowmobile trail system that could be regularly maintained and improved. Being seated as the Chairman of this board gave me the ability to do something different with all the trails in the county and enhance what we had. I knew then that I could bring my visions to life. I pitched one of the ideas, a bike loop, to a friend Nancy Huck. She encouraged me to get this going and together we created a board. We organized and approached the county for seed money. Plainfield Township in Iosco County agreed, then Oscoda and AuSable followed. Rob Eggers from the Spicer Group and I walked the area and laid out a route. We were passionate about the opportunity this trail system could bring. With the natural beauty, untapped resources, and local support we knew it could act to improve the economy. It would provide national forest access, highlight the River Road National Scenic Byway, bring people to see our fall colors, and drive family groups and visitors to our area. Nancy and I went to Lansing, MI, and met with Senator Jim Stamas and Peter Pettalia to lobby for support. That meeting turned my Iosco County loop idea into a portion of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail.
Having the Iosco Exploration Trail as part of the Iron Belle Trail is a great opportunity to showcase everything Northeast Michigan has to offer. People travel here from all around the US and outside the country to enjoy our overlooks. Family oriented sports bring people to access our campgrounds, our communities, and our resources and they enjoy what our area has to offer. Having the Iosco Exploration Trail will supply a nice economic impact and we should take advantage of the natural resources we have here, like the Huron National Forest, which we’re blessed to have. Many people ask how they can access wonderful places like this one, sitting in our own backyard. It’s attractive to visitors and now they’ll have the access they desire. We're also lucky to have such great stewards of our resources, like Consumers Energy and the Forest Service, working with our community members and residents. They care deeply about this area.
If you look at established trails throughout the state and their positive impact statistics, along with their records of safety and low impact use to our resources, they’ve proven to be an asset to the communities who’ve developed them. The trails will lead to building development, a better local economy, and give our families and youth enrichment through outdoor experiences.
Jeffrey Matthews
Iosco County Resident & Visionary
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Through the Eyes of a Newcomer
By Roberta Smith, IET Secretary
I joined the IET nonprofit as the Secretary in 2016 after having just moved to the area months before. It was clear the individuals involved with this magnificent project across Iosco County were deeply devoted to the brilliant investment in community it would be one day. Grabbing ahold of the amazing opportunity to build the IET as part of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail brought more excitement, and potential for an economic boost to the surrounding communities grew. The original core team of people who laid the groundwork for the future development of the trail and who started the Iosco Exploration Trail nonprofit were path pavers in their own right. Nancy Huck, Jane Hayward, Aaron Weed, Jeffrey Matthews, Tess Weed, and Fred Lewis were all involved. As time went on, more joined the group. Kelly Grahm, Rick Hammel, Mary Jo Samotis, Ronda Gartland, and myself were involved in some way and sitting around the table along with members of USDA and USFS, Consumers Energy, Spicer Group, NEMCOG, and more. The phrase, "If you build it, they will come", rang true. Wonderful stakeholders continued coming to the table every month to work through some of the most challenging funding, planning, development, and engineering challenges this area has seen. As a stranger to Iosco County, I saw first-hand how local community leaders in Oscoda, AuSable, and Plainfield Twps stepped up and came together to propel the project. Along with that, collaborative grant executions with the three townships in partnership were brilliant, getting state-wide attention for the funding collaboration and recognized for such. Funding also came by way of a Safe Route to School grant through the US Department of Transportation, another tremendous win. The recognition didn't stop there. Nancy Huck, IET Treasurer, in 2018, was recognized as Iosco County's Community Foundation Philantropist of the year where her work on the IET project certainly didn't go unnoticed. Fred Lewis the following year, 2019, was then awarded the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance's Annual Trail Award. This recognized him as an exemplary leader of trail advocates across the state that have helped Michigan remain the number one trails state in the nation.
I commend the leadership who served Oscoda, AuSable, and Plainfield Twps over the last several years for their unbelievable work. It was, and still is today, such a pleasure to learn about the area through committed residents who deeply love their community and this beautiful area of Michigan.
Today the IET 501c3 nonprofit board consists of Fred Lewis, Jane Hayward, Nancy Huck, Aaron Weed, Bill Palmer, Jim McArdle, Kelly Grahm, Brian Pritchett, Jeremy Yax, and myself. We see the vision. We believe this trail and all extensions will bring joy to so many local residents, visitors, and tourists. We see the opportunity for economic growth. We believe in the ripple effect of the positive long-term benefits a trail of this magnitude will bring into the future. We dream about the recreational opportunities that are already coming out of what we've built for outdoor sport enthusiasts and community members who just want to get out and get moving on the trails. Through the eyes of a once-newcomer, I'm proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people working toward a better tomorrow in the communities we live in and serve.
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Iosco Exploration Trail 501c3 nonprofit was selected for
a 3rd time to join the
Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan's #GivingTuesdayNEMI program. This was created to help small local nonprofits raise funds on Giving Tuesday!
Please save the date, December 1, 2020, and choose the Iosco Exploration Trail as your charity of choice and donate to support the trail we're building through Iosco County as part of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail. Click the link below to donate on #GivingTuesday! Link goes live at 12am, December 1!
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The new Iosco Exploration Trail is great. Now you can safely walk or peddle all the way from Mill St bridge & US23 to Oscoda school campus.
The crews did a fabulous job with construction and don't forget all the behind the scenes folks (years of dedication)! The two new smaller Mill St bridges are a must see. Now students can walk or ride a bicycle to school.
~ Pete Simpson, Iosco Resident
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Iosco Bikes and Trails Group Joins IET |
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Iosco Bikes and Trails, a local Iosco group supporting Mountain Biking in Iosco County, has joined as an official IET committee! They are working hard to bring the Wildcat Mountain Bike Trail to fruition through hardwork, dedication, and a hands-on approach to restoring and building up an old abandoned trail along the River Road National Scenic Byway. The groups are thrilled to be working side by side to encourage and support mountain biking as a recreational sport in Iosco County. Currently 11 miles, the Wildcat includes flow sections full of exciting rollers and challenging climbs with rewarding views. Foot rock gardens and switch backs to come in the spring! You'll find the Wildcat trailhead at the Foote Site Overlook off River Rd. in Oscoda, MI. More miles to come!!! Pack up your fat bikes, mountain bikes, and gear, and come enjoy the Wilcdcat!! |
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Wildcat News
By Brian Pritchett, Wildcat Committee Chair
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The Wildcat Mountain Bike Trail is underway! If you're new to the sport or an experienced rider, this is a trail that you must check out. The trail extends from Old Orchard Campground to Cook Dam Road. It is packed with amazing views of the river. The Wildcat trail has a great mix of flowy single track as well as punchy climbs to keep you on your toes the whole way through. Reconnect with the Huron National Forest as you traverse along the Ausable River. The trail is open year round, when the snow hits it will be groomed for those looking to fat bike. Check out the trail progress on Iosco Bikes and Trails facebook page. Our team is committed to extending the trial network so each ride will be a new adventure. |
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Guinness Biker Group Takes a Ride on the Wildcat |
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The Guinness Bikers, a mountain biking group out of Shelby Twp, Michigan, made their way to Iosco County in mid August to see what all the Wildcat hype was about. Denny, from Iosco Bikes and Trails committee met them and led the way on a guided tour showing them all the progress made and future potential of the Wildcat Mountain Bike Trail! Sounds like they had a great time. Thank you, Denny, and thank you Guinness Bikers for coming! We look forward to another visit!
"Hi Denny,
Thank you for meeting the Guinness Bikers this last Friday on the River Road trail. We would have been lost without your guidance. Our rider’s comments were all positive on the trail. This trail system has great potential partly because of its natural topography (hills).
The Guinness Bikers will be back next year and open to helping with trail maintenance prior to our ride. We can have 15-18 volunteers, with shovels, rakes, hoes, loppers, etc. or whatever. We could install much need signage too. Let me know if you think we can help. Thanks again for meeting us.
Mike Fitzpatrick"
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"Great ride this morning, I think we rode pretty much everything. Bravo to everyone who makes it happen."
~ Burgess Gow
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OHS Students and the Iosco Exploration Trail |
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Here are 8th grade students creating with chalk on our new bike path in front of OHS. Our students have used this space daily to create art, exercise and breathe fresh air.
The path provides a safe structure for students to work together as we learn to be socially distant. We look forward to using this new space in all seasons.
Mrs. Jamie Merdzinski
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A Note from Oscoda Area School's Superintendent
Our community is incredibly grateful to have the IET grace the campus of Oscoda Area Schools. In the short time the trail has been in place, there have been students and community members constantly utilizing the benefits the trail provides. Students are traversing to school through the safety and sanctuary of the trail. This protection was desperately needed along such a busy road without a shoulder or adequate light. We have observed students and staff alike utilizing the trail to walk, run, rollerblade, skateboard and bicycle. It is astounding the volume of people who are already taking advantage of this incredible resource. There have been countless conversations relative to the tangible benefits the trail has already provided. At a time where students and staff alike are confined indoors with masks, it has provided a wonderful venue for teachers to take their students to walk and find some relief in the form of exercising on the trail.
We are very much looking forward to the continuation of the system and are eager to see the many benefits that will be bestowed on our community as a result of the Iosco Exploration Trail.
Oscoda Area Schools is grateful for this amenity to our community. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or if we can be of service.
Scott Moore, Ph.D., Ed. S., MPA
Superintendent of Oscoda Area Schools
3550 River Rd.
Oscoda, MI 48750
989-739-2033
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IET MERCH
Limited Time Sale! Only 2 days left to order!
Grab your IET long-sleeve tee, today!
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IET Highlight in Hale Area Voice
by Dee Dee Brinkman
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The Iosco Exploration Trail (IET) is dedicated to providing recreation opportunities in Iosco County by way of a nonmotorized pathway highlighting the many attractions, venues and natural beauty. The IET is part of the Iron Belle Trail that connects Belle Isle in Detroit to Ironwood Michigan. By connecting existing trails and strategically constructing designated phases the state of Michigan is working with local governments to make this plan a reality. At 774 miles long, it is no easy task. The IET phase is 34 miles long connecting Oscoda/AuSable to Hale via the River Road Scenic Byway. The IET is just completing Phase 1 of the project, from US 23 (Mill Street Bridge) in Oscoda to Oscoda Community Schools. Phase 3 is in the process of being completely funded with plans to begin construction in the spring of 2021 and completion set for the fall of 2021. Phase 3 extension 1 will continue the trail from.......click below to read more!
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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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For more information about the Iosco Exploration Trail as part of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail, please visit Ioscoexplorationtrail.org
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