We are building a new trailhead pavilion at the soon to come Marquette Township Trailhead! Wait what? Yes! Thanks to a number of stars aligning and some very enthusiastic NMU Construction Management Students, we are forging ahead with this cool partnership project. But...yes, there's a but. We need to raise $20,000 to make sure we can finish the project which not only includes a pavilion but storage incorporated for the deployment of winter grooming equipment and trail tools. So before we make the ask, how about we catch you up on the project?

A couple years back, Marquette Township and NTN started chatting about a new trailhead on Township property along the Wellhead Road to serve the Township side of the South Trail network. A trailhead on the west end of the system would mean better parking and a pavilion gathering spot for all trail users, and eventually a skills area and additional connecting trails. Plans were drawn up, a large grant application was prepared and submitted by the Township to the DNR but unfortunately it wasn't funded.

Fast forward to summer of 2024. A wonderful NTN supporter stopped in the NTN office and asked if we had any upcoming projects on the South Trails. We said "hold that thought" and put in a design - build senior project proposal to the NMU Construction Management Program. From there:

On August 27th, a team of five NMU students in the Construction Management Program selected our proposal for their senior project after a presentation by NTN and Marquette Township representatives.

We set a budget of $40,000 for the building ($30,000 from our wonderful supporter mentioned above and $10,000 from NTN savings) with Marquette Township agreeing to help with the costs of the work from the concrete pad down.

Over the last four weeks, knowing this project would be a big lift in a short time frame, we started checking boxes. The NMU Team jumped in and began gathering project input, contacting local unions for support, and working through permits and timelines, while NTN and Township employees jumped in and cleared the site on the Wellhead Road in preparation for the build. (Please don't remind the NMU Team that their presentation on the project is December 6th.)

The NMU Team, NTN and Township shared our needs with Megan Hornbogan from Polzin Architects who put together the design and engineered drawings in record time. Then this week, the NMU Team put hard numbers to our vision. Due to material costs and time, we need another $20,000 to finish the project. We know our community likes to dig deep just as much as we work hard to stretch your donations. We've pulled off some great projects this season and we think we can make one more happen. So here's the ask: Would you consider donating in a meaningful way to this awesome project and show our amazing NMU student team that we believe in them? Donors giving at $500 or higher will have their name on a plaque at the Pavilion!

We are hopeful for your support!

NMU Construction Management Project Team

Still here? Here's a little more on NTN.

Founded in 2001, Noquemanon Trail Network's (NTN’s) mission is to secure, develop, maintain and promote the use of a non-motorized trail network throughout the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. NTN relies on the support of the community and generous land owners to keep trails open and available to the public. NTN works with over 40 landowners, both public and private, for daily trail access and over 50 landowners for events. Through a variety of agreements, easements, and ownership, NTN is working towards protecting and growing trail access for the future.

As of 2024 there are 8 trail systems maintained by NTN from Munising to Big Bay including:

over 80 miles of single track trail
35 miles of groomed winter single track
over 125 km of nordic ski trails
2 pump tracks
Forestville Trailhead with pole barn chalet, vault toilets, and 15 site rustic campground
South Trailhead with pavilion and vault toilets
510 Trailhead at Noquemanon Ski Trail crossing with parking and land for future trail development

Funds for our work come from membership support, donations, sponsorships, grants, fundraising events, and occasional contracted trail builds. We currently have 3 year-round full-time employees, 2 part-time and a rotating cast of seasonal as well as super volunteers that make the trail magic happen. NTN does not receive any direct local government funding for development or maintenance but a number of municipalities provide land access.

Marquette Township Trailhead Pavilion Project

By NTN (Noquemanon Trail Network)

Marquette Township Trailhead Pavilion Project

Help Us Finish the Pavilion!