Thanks to a cooperative effort involving several CMF members and other partners, 52-acres of land with 1,550 feet of frontage on the Platte River in northern Michigan was acquired for public use, part of a multi-year initiative by Homestead Township in Benzie County.
Thanks to a cooperative effort involving several CMF members and other partners, 52-acres of land with 1,550 feet of frontage on the Platte River in northern Michigan was acquired for public use, part of a multi-year initiative by Homestead Township in Benzie County. It was made possible by a partnership coordinated by the Honor Area Restoration Project (HARP), a nonprofit formed in 2010 to convene interests around revitalizing the greater Honor Area. The acquisition team included the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Homestead Township, Village of Honor, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Benzie Conservation District and Platte Lake Improvement Association. Funding partners for the acquisition included CMF member Rotary Charities of Traverse City, the DNR Land Trust Fund and donations to HARP.
“None of this would have happened without the support of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources through their grant and fisheries programs and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy,” said Ingemar Johansson, President of HARP. “They are wonderful partners as are the dozens of people who have joined us to develop plans for the property.”
HARP has a formal agreement in place with Homestead Township and the Village of Honor, a nonprofit-local government pact that cements the plans to collaborate to manage the Park and cooperate and fully involve residents, visitors and others to firm up subsequent phases of Park development.
The phase two development plan had had generous support from the DNR and philanthropy, including Rotary Charities of Traverse City, the Herbert and Grace A. Dow Foundation and the Oleson Foundation.
Park development will be managed by Tim Knudsen of the firm Beckett & Raeder. Fund developers Karlyn Haas and Tim Ervin say that other requests are pending to wrap up phase two and that work will begin immediately for phase three development funding which includes a more expansive universally accessible trail system and added access for anglers and others. “We cannot begin to express our gratitude to everyone who is backing this project, one that was identified over ten years ago in a community revitalization study funded by Rotary Charities of Traverse City,” said Johansson.
“It’s a wonderful project with tremendous local impact, including a big economic ripple effect,” said Becky Ewing, executive director, Rotary Charities of Traverse City. “It will also have a big influence as a new destination for Michigan and as a part of the ‘Gateway’ to resources that include Glen Lake, the dunes and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Big things are afoot in Benzie County and we’re pleased to be a collaborator!”
“The impact of this new park for our fishery and anglers is outstanding,” said Jim Dexter, DNR Fisheries Division chief. “We have an existing commitment to steelhead on the Platte, including the winter fishery that they provide, as well as other species like brown trout and migratory coho salmon. To date, there has been a lack of access to the Platte for anglers to enjoy the resource. When completed, this will provide future and forever access to our world class resources!”
More information about the Park and tax deductible donations toward Phase 3 of the Park development plan can be directed to HARP at www.restorehonor.org.
