To the editor:
Do you love TART Trails AND Sleeping Bear Dunes? Unfortunately, we must choose between the two regarding the proposed extension of the Heritage Trail because dunes at the north end of the National Park face destruction in order to (someday?) connect the bike trail across to Suttons Bay. The 22 mile Heritage Trail will soon get 4 more miles if the National Park/TART Trail plan goes forward. Pink ties mark the route.
TART’s mission to connect communities is at odds the National Park’s mission to preserve nature because massive retaining walls, boardwalks and asphalt trails destroy nature. TART’s hopes for the future should not take precedence over a National Park’s imperative today.
New studies show that this off-road route wasn’t properly assessed in 2009 when 7000 trees, critical dunes, wetlands and alternatives were not considered. If the trail was simply extended to Good Harbor Bay along Bohemian Rd, where it now ends, a priceless wilderness would be spared.
Climate has changed the world since this plan was adopted in 2009 and we must change with it. Devastation of a living ecosystem for 4 more miles of biking places ourselves above nature.
Sign a petition at SleepingBearNaturally.com or at the Leelanau Library meeting on 6/22, 9AM when the recent tree survey and engineering study will be discussed with the experts. It is not too late to rethink what seemed right 15 years ago. Sleeping Bear Dunes were designated as a National Park in order to be protected.
Barbara Stamiris Traverse City
