With the November election just days away, I suspect I’m not alone in looking forward to putting another season of attack ads, endless mailings, and political divisiveness behind us. Somewhere along the way, elections seem to have become more about what separates us than what brings us together.
But there’s one issue on the ballot this November that I’m proud to be a small part of, precisely because I believe it has the power to unite us. And I’m inviting my fellow Grand Traverse County voters to join me in voting YES for trails.
On the ballot is a proposed six-year, 0.3-mill millage dedicated to non-motorized trails in Grand Traverse County. For a home with a market value of $415,000, the median in Grand Traverse County, the cost would be approximately $60 annually. The funding would help maintain the public trails we’ve already built, improve safety for people walking, biking, or rolling, close gaps in our existing network, and create new connections to neighborhoods, services, stores, schools, workplaces,and natural areas throughout the county.
For me, this is about more than building trails. It’s about investing in the sense of place and quality of life that makes this region such a special place to call home.
There’s something about spending time on a trail that makes my day a little bit better. Maybe it’s encountering a familiar face or meeting up with a friend. Sometimes it’s the simple quiet of an otherwise busy week. More often than not, it’s the feeling of arriving back home a little more at peace and better connected to the world around me.
Whatever that magical feeling is, there’s no doubt in my mind that trails have the power to connect us. They connect us to the places we want to go, to the people around us, and perhaps most importantly, to ourselves.
Think about the places trails take us. A ride into town for a visit with a friend, a walk to the library, a family outing to the beach, or a bike ride to work that starts the day on a better note. For kids, a safe route to school or to a friend’s house can mean a little more freedom and independence. For many of us, a nearby trail provides an opportunity to stay active and engaged with the community.
These connections matter. And while we’ve made tremendous progress building trails over the past several decades, there are still plenty of places where those connections simply aren’t there.
I know from experience that a little time outdoors can change the course of a day. A walk through the woods or a bike ride along the bay has a way of clearing the mental clutter and putting things back into perspective. The rhythm of movement, fresh air, and changing seasons remind us why we’re fortunate to call this place home.
I’ve spent much of my professional life helping build and improve trails throughout the Grand Traverse region. I’ve been fortunate to have a front-row seat to the transformational power of non-motorized trails and pathways. Along the way, I’ve come to appreciate that their greatest value isn’t necessarily measured in miles of pavement or the number of people passing a trail counter. It’s found in the countless small ways they become part of our everyday lives and help create community.
But the trails that make these experiences possible don’t just happen. They’re the result of decades of vision, collaboration across sectors and municipal boundaries, generosity, expertise, and hard work. And like anything we value, they require care, attention, resources, and a willingness to think about what comes next.
For me, the question comes down to what kind of community we want to leave for the next generation. One where getting outside, moving safely between neighborhoods, and enjoying the natural beauty around us are easy choices, available to more people in more places.
I believe that’s a future worth investing in, and I’ll be voting yes. If you’re a registered voter in Grand Traverse County, I hope you’ll join me.