HWPI is pleased to introduce another remarkable volunteer, Tim Eder. Tim’s community leadership is longstanding. He recently played a primary role in the effort to “deny the mine” in Lyndon Township, through the Friends of Chelsea and Lyndon Township group. After helping successfully stop the development of the gravel mine, Tim and The Friends group chose to use their energy and enthusiasm for other constructive community efforts. The group saw the beautiful B2B segment in Dexter and were inspired to take on bringing recreational trails to Chelsea as their next mission.
The HWPI board then formed in late 2014, with Tim as a founding member. He currently serves as the Vice Chair. His contributions to the organization and the B2B success have been many, including providing leadership on the Executive Committee of the Board and assisting with fundraising. His wealth of nonprofit experience is an asset to HWPI, as we grow as an organization and partner with governmental agencies.
Tim has spent most of his professional career focused on the preservation and conservation of the Great Lakes. He currently works at the Mott Foundation, managing a grantmaking portfolio that addresses freshwater challenges. When not working or volunteering, Tim enjoys spending free time with family and friends at his favorite places on the lakes: A Lake Michigan beach in Sturgeon Bay during the summer; and the storm-tossed coast of Lake Superior, north of Marquette, during the winter.
Tim is married and has two children. He is quick to acknowledge the support of his family, and identifies his children a key reason for his commitment to the environment and the quality of life in our region. When asked why he devotes his time to HWPI, Tim responded, “I believe in service and being a part of the HWPI Board is one way that I can help shape our community. Completing the B2B will be transformative and I am thrilled to be a part of that effort.” Thank you Tim, for your years of service to HWPI and the B2B! Your involvement has truly made an impact.
New B2B Trail Segment Officially Open
BY HWPI StaffDecember 11, 2018
We have cut the ribbon and a new B2B Trail segment is officially open! Thanks to the 75+ people who joined us to celebrate the new path and to take an inaugural walk on the trail. A huge thanks also goes to all of the people who made this happen, including the WCPARC, WCRC, DNR, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, dozens more partners and more than 1,200 donors.
Come check it out for yourself. You can access this 2.6 mile section of trail at the Green Lake Campground or at the intersection of M52 and Werkner Roads, just outside of Chelsea. This is just the beginning of many more new B2B segments to come. You have made this possible!
Trail supporters of all ages gathered for the first official access to this new trail segment.
Live music by Marsha Gayle, with Dave Purdy on the harmonica, added to the festive atmosphere of the day. Marsha wrote and performed “The Fabulous B2B” in honor of the Border-to-Border Trail.
HWPI Board Chair, Jeff Hardcastle, answered questions about upcoming B2B trail construction projects.
Several four-legged trail supporters looked forward to their first walk on this new segment.
Founding HWPI Board Member, Paul Wiklanski, shared his excitement for this accomplishment.
Some wore their high visibility HWPI shirts for safety and to show their support.
Jeff Hardcastle, HWPI Board Chair and energetic trail advocate announced this new B2B trail segment opening.
Coy Vaughn, WCPARC Director, credited several people in his organization, and the Parks Commission’s partnership with HWPI.
Nearly 100 supporters gathered in the bright cold to participate in this milestone event.
Marc Keezer, Lyndon Township Supervisor, highlighted Lyndon Township’s involvement with the trail concept along M52, which predates the inception of HWPI.
Ron Olson, Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation Division Chief, spoke about the effectiveness of public-private partnerships, and how this new trail segment will provide more access to the state’s two largest recreation areas.
On behalf of HWPI, Jeff Hardcastle presented a $52,000 check to Coy Vaughn and Ron Olson, the start of an ongoing endowment for trail maintenance.
Officials from the private and public groups whose partnerships made this new trail segment possible assembled to cut the ribbon.
Founding HWPI Board Members Tim Eder and Marc Keezer snipped a portion of the ribbon to commemorate this event.
The gathered crowd of trail supporters posed for a group photo.
Most of the trail supporters in attendance participated in a first walk on the officially opened trail.
Bob Tetens, former WCPARC Director, walks the newly opened B2B trail segment with his grandson.
Some hearty trail supporters brought their bicycles along for an inaugural ride.
Even a beautiful reindeer dog was in attendance.
Jeff’s family is proud of his leadership and vision for a legacy that will be enjoyed for many generations to come.
One of the many vistas into state recreation area land that are available along this new trail segment.
Founding HWPI Board Member David Hardcastle is accompanied along the trail by his parents.
Starting in Sylvan Township, this trail segment crosses into Lyndon Township and will be extended to Stockbridge, where it will intersect the existing Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Par.
A young rider enjoys his first trip on this new B2B trail segment.
A huge thank you to Eco Sign Solutions for creating and sponsoring our B2B trail signage.
2.6 New B2B Miles Open on December 8!
BY HWPI StaffNovember 30, 2018
HWPI and WCPARC are thrilled to announce the opening of a new B2B trail segment! This segment covers 2.6 miles beginning at the intersection of Werkner Road and M52, north of Chelsea, and ending at the DNR’s Green Lake Campground entrance. A huge thanks to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the DNR, and all of our donors and partners who made this possible.
Please join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony on the newly completed section of the Border-to-Border Trail on Saturday, December 8th, 11:30 AM. A trail walk will follow the ceremony (weather dependent). Parking is available on Werkner Road, at Timbertown in Chelsea or at the Green Lake Campground. The ceremony and walk will be held on the south end of the B2B segment (at Werkner Road and M52). The public is invited to attend.
HWPI would like to introduce another amazing volunteer, Melissa Sundermann. As longtime a friend and training partner of Karen McKeachie and Lew Kidder, Melissa jumped into action upon Karen’s passing in 2016. When Lew announced that Karen’s Legacy project would be creating safe non-motorized trails, she was immediately on board with doing anything and everything to tell Karen’s story and help build Karen’s Trail.
Melissa is very active with HWPI, serving as a Board Member, a committee member for our Donor Appreciation Reception, and volunteers at several events throughout the year. On any given day, you can find her wearing a Karen’s Trail bracelet or hairband, and telling Karen’s story.
When Melissa is not working in her medical practice or volunteering for HWPI, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family – running, biking, skiing, hiking and camping in yurts! When not participating in sports, you can find her watching her kids play soccer and dive off 10m platforms. Melissa considers herself a true blue Wolverine, despite having medical degree from MSU.
When asked why she volunteers with HWPI, Melissa said, “Each day I think of Karen and miss her in my life. Her death hit home regarding the need for safe pathways for bikers, runners and walkers. I know Karen would be so proud of this trail and the community that has come together around her legacy project.” Thank you Melissa for your extreme dedication to building the B2B. You contribution is truly making a difference in our community!
M52 Phase 1 Nearing Completion
BY HWPI StaffOctober 30, 2018
All summer, it’s been fun to watch the construction progress on M52 Phase 1 of the B2B’s Chelsea-Stockbridge connector. We’ve seen clearing, grading, retaining wall and boardwalk construction, etc., all of which have been interesting. Yet there is something special about getting pavement on the ground! The final top coat of pavement, driveway crossings and road intersections are done.
The construction firm still has 2-3 weeks of finish work, and they need a few more good weather days to get everything done. We’re hoping to be able to open this new B2B trail segment in late November, so stay tuned for the announcement of a ribbon-cutting date!
