October 6, 2026 at 1:23 pm in Blog
Paddle Antrim is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Ripple Effect Mini Grant Program. This competitive grant program funds projects that protect local waterways and connect people to them. Eligible projects must focus on stewardship, education, or increasing accessibility to lakes and rivers. Since 2015, Paddle Antrim has awarded over $40,000 to 39 projects. To be considered, projects must focus on the Elk River Chain… Read More »
October 6, 2026 at 1:22 pm in Blog
What a weekend! From September 18–20, 202 paddlers joined us for the 11th annual Paddle Antrim Festival, paddling up to 42 miles across the Chain of Lakes Water Trail — Northern Michigan’s only state-designated Pure Michigan Water Trail. Over three days, paddlers and neighbors gathered in Ellsworth, Central Lake, Bellaire, and Elk Rapids to celebrate the lakes, rivers and communities that make this place so special. This year also brought… Read More »
August 5, 2026 at 9:55 am in Press Release
The Village of Central Lake and Paddle Antrim are pleased to announce the completion of Phase 1 improvements at Thurston Park, creating a more welcoming and accessible gateway to the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Located on the east side of Thurston Park along Intermediate Lake, the completed improvements include a universal kayak and canoe launch, accessible parking, an ADA-compliant pathway connecting the parking area to the launch, and a… Read More »
July 28, 2026 at 4:01 pm in Blog
September 18–20, Elk Rapids to Ellsworth, on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail There’s a moment on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail — somewhere between Ellsworth and Elk Rapids, paddle dipping in and out of glassy water — when you understand why hundreds of paddlers, spectators and volunteers mark this weekend on their calendars every year. Now in its 11th year, the Paddle Antrim Festival turns Northern Michigan’s Pure… Read More »
June 11, 2026 at 10:15 am in Press Release
Public invited to help unlock matching funds through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program — Paddle Antrim, the Village of Central Lake, and the Central Lake Lions Club are inviting the community to help transform Thurston Park into a more welcoming, accessible, and connected public space for residents and visitors alike. The organizations have launched a fundraising campaign to support improvements at Thurston Park and are eligible for a matching… Read More »
June 4, 2026 at 12:33 pm in Press Release
On June 3 officials from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Village of Elk Rapids, Paddle Antrim, and supporters gathered to officially cut the ribbon on a suite of trailblazing improvements at Rotary Park. The project marks a significant milestone for Michigan’s outdoor recreation industry, debuting the state’s first permanent non-motorized boat washing station and creating a new standard for universal accessibility. Rotary Park is a key… Read More »
May 12, 2026 at 12:10 pm in Press Release
Registration is officially open for the 11th Annual Paddle Antrim Festival, returning September 18–20, 2026. This premier event invites paddlers of all levels to explore the Chain of Lakes Water Trail—the only Pure Michigan-designated water trail in Northern Michigan—while enjoying a revamped weekend schedule designed for maximum participation and skill-building. To make the festival more inclusive for working professionals, Paddle Antrim has shifted its primary paddling days to Saturday and… Read More »
May 11, 2026 at 3:50 pm in Press Release
As the spring sun begins to slowly warm Northern Michigan, Paddle Antrim is joining organizations across the country to recognize May as National Water Safety Month. While the air may be starting to warm, Paddle Antrim is issuing a critical reminder: water levels on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail and surrounding waterways are unseasonably high, and water temperatures remain life-threateningly cold. Current data shows that Grand Traverse Bay and… Read More »
April 8, 2026 at 1:53 pm in Press Release
Paddle Antrim is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors, Rich Hannan and Gary Chenoweth. Both bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to conservation and community engagement. Rich Hannan is a retired research scientist whose career focused on the conservation of plant genetic resources. He spent decades with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service as a Research… Read More »
March 12, 2026 at 12:59 pm in Uncategorized
At Paddle Antrim, we believe that supporting like-minded organizations ripples our mission further than we could ever do alone. Our Ripple Effect Mini-Grant Program supports local non-profits and governmental units whose goals align with ours—protecting the precious waterways of the Chain of Lakes and adjacent watersheds. These grants are funded through a portion of the income earned from our classes and events, allowing us to reinvest back into the community… Read More »