Elk Rapids, MI – Paddle Antrim is pleased to announce the addition of a water trail expert and a seasoned marketing professional to their growing organization. Harry Burkholder joins the board of directors and Ellie Kirkpatrick joins the staff as a marketing and outreach specialist. Burkholder, a Traverse City resident, has established himself as one of the foremost authorities in Michigan for water trails and recreation authorities. In 2019 Burkholder… Read More »

Grant Will Fund Signage Needed for Northern Michigan’s Only Water Trail Elk Rapids, MI – Paddle Antrim has received a $25,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation supporting the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Paddle Antrim will install signage and develop materials for users to have a quality experience out on the water. The signs and materials will include practical information on the trail but also convey important messages such… Read More »

Paddle Antrim is pleased to announce the public phase of its capital campaign to open the Chain of Lakes Water Trail.  The water trail includes over 80 miles of trail through sixteen unique lakes and rivers. To date, Paddle Antrim has raised over $180,000, two-thirds of its $275,000 capital campaign goal.  Through this campaign, Paddle Antrim will install the signage and develop materials needed for users to have a quality… Read More »

Paddle Antrim is working with the Village of Elk Rapids to design improvements to Rotary Park. This project will include identified improvements and provide opportunities for community input.  “Improvements to Rotary Park, including a kayak launch, were identified in the Village of Elk Rapids’ Recreation Survey in 2017,” says Caroline Kennedy, Elk Rapids Assistant Village Manager. “We appreciate Paddle Antrim’s support in securing the funding for this project and look… Read More »

Paddle Antrim announced it will award $2,965 to five projects that benefit Northern Michigan’s waterways through its Ripple Effect Mini Grant Program. “We are pleased to support and enhance these local projects that align with our mission, focusing on collaboration instead of duplication” says Deana Jerdee, Paddle Antrim’s Executive Director. In the past four years, Paddle Antrim has awarded over $24,000 through this program. Three projects focused on stewardship intiatives… Read More »

Elk Rapids, MI – On Friday June 14, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance staff gathered with representatives and supporters of the non-profit group Paddle Antrim to recognize the Chain of Lakes Water Trail as one of eight state designated water trails at a designation ceremony in Ellsworth Michigan, the start of this 80+ mile water trail in the pristine waters of Northern Michigan. “Michigan… Read More »

Registration is now open for the 2019 Paddle Antrim Festival, September 12th-14th. Now in its fifth year, the Paddle Antrim Festival is the best way to experience the Chain of Lakes Water Trail and the quaint lakeside communities that surround it.  This fun, non-competitive event provides opportunities for all levels of paddlers to participate one or two days with many distance options available. In addition to two great days of… Read More »

Paddle Antrim is pleased to announce the Chain of Lakes Water Trail received a grant for $70,500 from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development toward development of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. This grant includes funding for installation of signage, development of a paddler’s guide, and marketing for the water trail to improve the experience for paddlers while out on the water. “This water trail is truly… Read More »