Crowdfunding campaign launched for the ‘Marquette Singletrack: Yellow Trail, Phase 2’ project

$7,500 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – A section of Marquette’s South Trails singletrack network will soon be completed with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Noquemanon Trails Network announced today. Offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity, the campaign will support the project to help NTN complete the construction of a long-awaited trail.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $7,500 by July 5, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. 

“Public Spaces Community Places is a great resource to help communities leverage their unique strengths into awesome spaces for the public to enjoy,” said MEDC Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are excited to partner in this project and help enhance Michigan’s beautiful trail network.”

Marquette Singletrack: Yellow Trail, Phase 2 is part of the Yellow Loop, also known as Carp River Loop, one of the four main loops making up the Marquette South Trails singletrack network. The finished loop will be 10-15 miles of intermediate to advanced trail showcasing the spectacular terrain of the Carp River Valley and Marquette Mountain. Approximately four miles of the loop have been completed and are already in regular use by hikers and mountain bikers. 

The goal for 2017 is to complete Phase 2 of the project – two to three miles of new singletrack near Marquette Mountain that will be immediately accessible with connections off existing two-track. The new trail will traverse rugged terrain, providing a challenging trail experience and access to a rocky summit with sweeping vistas of Marquette, Lake Superior and the surrounding wilderness.

For project details and to donate, please visit: www.Patronicity.com/Marquette Yellow Trail.

“The Noquemanon Trail Network is excited to receive matching funds for our 2017 trail building project,” said NTN board member and Chair Lyle VanderSchaaf. “We’re confident that with support from our community and the MEDC we’ll be able to build another amazing trail for the people of Marquette to enjoy.”

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.

“Hiker and bikers from across the country are drawn to the U.P.’s spectacular landscape and beautiful vistas,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “By completing the next phase of Yellow Trail, Marquette is giving them even more reason to come and experience their unique community.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of May 31, 2017, MEDC has provided $3,666,500 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 119 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with nearly $4.4 million raised from 19,402 individual donors.

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.