Iron Ore Heritage Recreation Authority outlines future trail plans

A 5-mile nonmotorized link to Lakenenland, a new boardwalk east of Negaunee and repairs on the ORV Route C corridor are the next major projects on the Iron Ore Heritage Recreation Authority’s list.

The authority was founded in 2007 to build, manage and maintain the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a 47-mile, year-round, multi-use interpretive trail that runs from Republic to Chocolay Township. The authority has secured more than $6 million in grant funding since then, along with local millage revenue, and the system later won approval for a 5-mile nonmotorized extension to Lakenenland that brought the planned trail length to 52 miles. The trail follows mostly abandoned railroad corridors that once carried lumber and iron ore to Lake Superior.

Bob Hendrickson became trail administrator in June 2023, taking over after Carol Fulsher retired at the end of 2023. The Lakenenland extension has stayed active through 2025 and 2026, with revised plans, budgets and timelines moving through state review. The project would put a separated nonmotorized trail inside the state’s 100-foot railroad corridor from Kawbawgam Road to Lakenenland, along with trailhead parking, bike racks, benches and interpretive signage. The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund set aside $300,000 for that extension, and board discussions have focused on cross-traffic signs and blind corners.

Another project would build a boardwalk east of Negaunee near the mine site. The structure was trimmed to about 1,000 feet from about 1,300 feet and narrowed to 8 feet from 10 feet to control costs, while staying ADA-compliant and adding two viewing platforms over an emergent cattail marsh. The total budget was set at $340,000, backed by a $218,000 Michigan Trust Fund grant and authority reserves. Construction was expected to start after approval from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, potentially in May or June, with completion anticipated by midsummer.

The authority also moved ahead with ORV Route C Trail improvements between Negaunee and Republic, a corridor used by four-wheelers and side-by-sides up to 65 inches wide. That work was funded with a $35,000 allocation from the state ORV trail permit program. In Marquette Township, IOHRA also closed on 176 donated acres known as Koski Woods, land given by Joyce Britton and Carol Schwemin, who said they did not want it commercially developed.

The authority opened its 2023-2028 recreation plan for public review on Nov. 17, 2022 after surveys, on-site conversations and a public hearing.