STRATEGIC PLANNING

COMMUNITY VISIONING SESSIONS

The City’s Strategic Action Plan Project kicked off with the two-day Think-Tank workshop, a future oriented exploration of macro trends and their impact on Traverse City. Community members, City staff, and City partners deliberated and designed four plausible scenarios of the future for Traverse City. The Think-Tank concluded with attendees selecting their preferred future.

Now we want to hear from more of the community! The City is hosting Community Visioning Sessions November 12-14 to present and discuss the Think-Tank findings. Join a session to consider the potential future scenarios for Traverse City, contribute your perspective, and let us know which is your preferred future.

To ensure accessibility for all residents, session locations will vary, with several held in different neighborhoods across the City. While sessions will target specific neighborhoods, all community members are welcome to attend any session, regardless of location.

Community Visioning Sessions Agenda & Schedule

• 10 minutes Overview of project background and work to date
• 20 minutes Overview of Think-Tank process and outcomes
• 30 minutes Group discussion and short survey

About Strategic Planning

The City is developing a community-driven Strategic Action Plan through 2030, building on current achievements and setting a sustainable path forward. The process will be inclusive, transparent, and focused on Traverse City’s future. Recordings from the October Think Tank sessions are now available.

Watch Think Tank Recordings

Keep an eye on the project portal and join the project mailing list to stay up to date on opportunities to get involved.

SMASHING PUMPKIN GOALS!

DIVERTING PUMPKINS FROM LANDFILLS

The City is excited to team up with Carter’s Compost and SEEDS on the Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza, a community event focused on sustainability and fun, happening on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City’s in-vessel composting unit, located at 143 Beitner. This free event will welcome the public to smash their pumpkins at various activity stations. In addition, pumpkin drop-off will be allowed from November 1st and will continue until 1 p.m. on November 9th. Pumpkins should be free of any decorations and paint.

The new 20-yard in-vessel composting unit is a key part of the City’s Compost and Food Waste Reduction project. This fully enclosed system, ideal for urban settings, can process approximately 150 tons of food waste annually.



Smashing Goals!

The initial goal of diverting 1 ton of pumpkins from landfills was smashed the first weekend of drop-off. A new goal of 2 tons has been set. This event is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and educate the public on how they can make incremental steps toward food waste reduction.

TART IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION PROJECT

PHASE 1 SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE

Construction is substantially complete along all three segments of Phase 1 of the TART Improvement & Extension project. The City, with project partners the Downtown Development Authority and TART Trails, invites the public to celebrate with a community ribbon cutting on November 21 starting at 4:30 p.m. in Clinch Park.

In 2022, the City initiated the TART Improvement and Extension Project, located between West End Beach and the intersection of Peninsula and Eastern Avenue. The section of non-motorized trail between West End Beach and Murchie Bridge serves as a confluence of the regional trail network for both transportation and recreation, providing a junction for the TART, Leelanau Trail, and the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. Extending the trail to Eastern Avenue will serve as a critical connector to the City center for the east side of the City and Old Mission Peninsula.

Funding for Phase 1 of the project has been secured and included the following:



• Sunset Park to Senior Center: North side of US 31, connecting the public properties with an improved trail, new 10' multi-use and 6' pedestrian facilities at Sunset Park and NMC's Hagerty Center, transitioning to a 12' multi-use at the Senior Center.
• Clinch Park to Murchie Bridge: North side of Grandview Parkway with reconstruction of the asphalt TART Trail between Clinch Park and 200' east of the Park Street/Grandview intersection with separated 10' cycle/multi-use and 10' pedestrian facilities.
• Division to Hall Street: Trail construction along the southern portion of Grandview Parkway with a new 10' multi-use path between Division Street and the existing 8' sidewalk at Harbor View Centre (across from the volleyball courts).

Total funding for Phase 1 was provided from a $500,000 Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Grant, $421,449 from the City of Traverse City, $200,000 from DDA TIF 97 Funds, and $121,449 from TART Trails.

LEAF PICK UP PROGRESS UPDATE

The first pass through the City is nearly complete. City crews will begin the second pass in Zone 1 soon.

Progress updates will be announced via social media and will also be available on the interactive map on the City's Leaf Pickup webpage. While crews may clean streets outside the scheduled zone to finish up the day, if they are not officially picking up in that zone, they will return at the appropriate time.

TCLP ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS

Traverse City Light and Power is now accepting Community Investment Fund Grant Applications for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with a deadline of January 31, 2025.

TCLP, as a public power utility, aims to enhance the quality of life in Traverse City through grants focused on Community Development, Energy Education, and Environmental Resources. If you’re a nonprofit in the Traverse City area with a project in these areas, we encourage you to apply.

COMMUNITY BLOOD

DRIVE

Be a hero and join us for a Community Blood Drive hosted at the Governmental Center in the lower level cafeteria on November 13, 2024, from 10 am to 2:30 pm.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins welcome. Call 1-866-MI-BL00D.

Pro-Tip: Make sure to EAT a healthy MEAL and DRINK plenty of WATER before donating. 

HICKORY HILLS RECREATION UPDATES

SEASON PASSES GO ON SALE NOVEMBER 1ST

Season Passes

The City is gearing up for the winter season at Hickory Hills! Season passes for Hickory Hills go on sale on November 1st. Alpine season pass holders may also use Nordic trails at no additional charge.

The City's new software will offer more options to make your adventurous days at Hickory easier than ever. Waivers may be completed ahead of time, money can be added to pass holder accounts for use on anything at Hickory (think snacks and merch!), and day passes may now be purchased online from the comfort of home.

Hickory Purchase Portal

Seasonal Positions

JOIN THE FUN! The City is now hiring for seasonal positions at Hickory Hills. 

Learn More

Gift Cards

Give the gift of ADVENTURE!

Hickory Hills Gift Cards make the perfect gift! Whether it is a contribution toward a season pass, a few fun-filled days on the hill, or extra dollars for slope snacks, this gift will have you feeling good about your gift giving skills. And it's easy!

Purchase a Gift Card

Disc Golf Season Concludes

Disc Golf baskets will begin to be removed to prepare for the ski season the first week of November.

ASK THE CITY

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ANSWER

“Ask the City” allows residents to submit questions to City staff and receive personalized video responses. Once a resident’s question is answered, they will be notified via email, ensuring quick and clear communication. This platform gives every community member a direct line to City employees, creating an open forum for dialogue and making it easier than ever to engage with the City.

This program will be implemented as a three-month pilot project, after which its effectiveness will be evaluated to determine its continuation based on community interest. Residents are encouraged to take part in the conversation and explore the new platform. Additionally, a button labeled “Ask the City” on the City’s homepage will link directly to the platform. 

What is the Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza?

IN THE COMMUNITY

THANK YOU, VOTERS & ELECTION WORKERS!

Thank you to all the voters, from first-time participants to generations of dedicated citizens, for exercising your right. A special thanks to our election workers whose hard work and commitment made make democracy possible.