Crowdfunding campaign launched for Petoskey Community Trail

$20,000 goal to secure matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Northern Lakes Economic Alliance Petoskey today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the Petoskey Community Trail project, a collaborative effort of the Petoskey Public Schools, Petoskey Education Foundation, the city of Petoskey, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, and the greater Petoskey community.

If the Petoskey Community Trail attains its crowdfunding goal of $20,000 by July 15, MEDC will provide a $20,000 matching grant. For project details and to donate, please visit: https://www.patronicity.com/project/petoskey_community_trail_project#/. 

“We are excited to partner in this community-wide push to bring new recreational opportunities for Petoskey residents and visitors,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki.

The Petoskey Community Trail project will build an in-town Petoskey trail system on property shared by the future Petoskey Community Athletic complex.

The trail will offer residents, visitors and students a winding, rolling venue to walk, run and cross country ski. The trail will be designed and built for year- round and multi-purpose use. Features will include parking, signs indicating various loops and distances, and a layout that avoids road crossings.

“Through community support of our Petoskey Community Trail Crowd-funding project, a safe and convenient year-around trail located on our school campus and accessible to our students and the community will become reality,” said Public Schools of Petoskey Superintendent John P. Scholten.

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the 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. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“The League is a firm believer that our communities are economic drivers of our state,” said Dan Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “Petoskey is a great example of a vibrant community that people love for a variety of reasons, including having a strong downtown business district, beautiful scenery and being very pedestrian-friendly. This trail system will help connect those assets and will become something residents and visitors alike can take pride in for years to come.”

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.