Paddle Antrim and the Village of Elk Rapids are excited to announce that construction has commenced at Elk Rapids Rotary Park, with completion anticipated by late fall 2024.
“This week, we were thrilled and honored to break ground on construction at Elk Rapids Rotary Park,” said Karen Simpson, Village President. “With construction slated to be complete in November, we are excited to be at the finish line of implementing our community’s vision for Rotary Park and enhancing non-motorized connectivity to the water.”
Elk Rapids Rotary Park is a key trailhead on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, an over 100-mile water trail stretching through 12 lakes and interconnected rivers in Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska Counties. The Chain of Lakes Water Trail is one of nine state-designated water trails in Michigan and is a collaborative effort between twenty different governmental jurisdictions and non-profit organizations.
“The groundbreaking of this exciting project is a big milestone that we are excited to celebrate with the Village of Elk Rapids and donors who made this project possible,” said Deana Jerdee, Executive Director of Paddle Antrim. “Paddle Antrim is proud to host the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. With Rotary Park being a key access site on the trail, this groundbreaking is a significant step in our nonprofit’s strategy to partner with local governments to make planned improvements that create high-quality experiences and public access for people of all abilities.”
Paddle Antrim and the Village are grateful for the support received from state and local government, private foundations, and individual donors. Major funding was provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources through the Spark Grant Program as part of the Building Michigan Together Plan. “The intention for the Spark program was to get the funds to the communities where the funding can make the biggest impact and be lighter than our traditional grant programs,” said Charamy Cleary, Recreation Grant Coordinator with MI DNR. “We are excited that the Village of Elk Rapids was one of the initial recipients of the Spark funds and that we are able to partner together to provide increased opportunities for the residents and visitors to Rotary Park and the Village.”
Additional significant state funding came from the Michigan State Waterways Commission. “The Department of Natural Resources is excited to be part of this major renovation. These kinds of innovative, community-building projects that keep boating and public water access at the forefront create a sense of place that is uniquely Michigan, and in this case, highlights one of the greatest assets of Elk Rapids – its waterways,” shared Curt Wemple, Waterways Grant Coordinator.
Additional generous funding was received from the Village of Elk Rapids, Rotary Charities of Traverse City, Jim and Diana Huckle Family Foundation, Elk Rapids Rotary Club, Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority, Elk Rapids Harbor Commission, Oleson Foundation, Sue Haadsma-Svensson and Kjell Svensson, Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, BlueStone Futures, Gary and Mary Chenoweth, Barton J Ingraham & Gail G Ingraham Foundation, Matt and Dep Knudstrup, The McMullen Family Foundation Fund, Christine Peterson, The Ross Family Fund, Karen Simpson, and the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation.
The improvements at Rotary Park will include:
- A non motorized launch, providing the first universally accessible route on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail • Improved parking and flow with designated loading/unloading zones, and trailer parking • Fully plumbed restrooms with changing station • Boat washing station to prevent the spread of invasive species • Rain garden with native plants to control stormwater runoff • Safe travel to the existing boat channel on Elk River
Engineering and project management is being completed by Gourdie Frasier, Inc. and construction by Molon Excavating. These improvements were identified as a priority for the Village in their 2018 Recreation Plan. In 2019, Paddle Antrim and the Village of Elk Rapids began working on a concept design, which was finalized in 2021 after extensive public input. In 2023, the fundraising goal of nearly $1 million for the project was met. Learn more about the project at www.paddleantrim.com/rotary-park
