While we’re getting ready for September 28’s Bear Claw Epic, the Pathway is getting plenty of upgrades! Check out some of the fresh things coming this month!
Summer is at its peak, and we’re loving every second of it! We’ve seen so many smiling faces on bikes, running, hiking, and enjoying great weather. This is the season that really gets more people active and we hope the changes we’re working on keep them active all year long.
One of those upgrades is already done. Boy Scout Troop 125 built six handicap-friendly picnic tables that have found their home on the new Pavillion. Paired with the fireplace, cement floors, and the gorgeous roof structure itself, our new home is really coming together.
That’s just the beginning. By mid-September, we’ll be installing solar-power lights at the Pathway, donated with support from the Cadillac Rotary and Keen Technical Solutions. A big issue with technical donations is that the expense of maintenance can have a big impact on our budget going forward. These solar lights will power themselves, and it’s going to allow us to absorb no real additional costs with a lot of innovative benefits!
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been a terrific partner and are more involved in the recreational experience here than ever. The DNR is adding sidewalks this month which were funded in part by the Bear Claw Epic, another great accessibility feature in addition to the upgraded bathroom they brought in earlier this summer. They’re doing a lot of work to make this trailhead a place for everyone, and that’s work that everyone can appreciate.
That’s not all, either. Thanks to the Dalmac Fund, we’re adding a new up.bike Fix-It station and pump right at the trailhead! Make quick fixes and pump up your tires before you hit the trail; it’s a convenience that makes so much sense for riders who are trying to squeeze in a ride before or after work. They’re also helping us with a season bike rack that can be converted to hold skis all winter!
Cadillac is so lucky to have support from local groups like the Cadillac Rotary and great organizations like the Tri City Cycling Club, up.bike, Keen Technical Solutions, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Want to help out? Become an NMMBA member, or donate directly to the Cadillac Pathway here.