Most of us regular Betsie Valley Trail users are conditioned to stop and show extra caution when crossing M-115, but for visitors and the casual Trail user, the potential danger is not always readily apparent.

That’s why the Friends decided to look into options that would help make this intersection safer for all.   

New Caution Signs will be Flashing

Ideally, we’d like to install motion-activated, flashing stop signs on each side of the Trail approaching the intersection. We’ve found plenty of flashing signs, but we haven’t yet found one that’s motion-activated. Consequently, we’re looking into motion-activator mechanisms now.

We expect the project to cost in the $3,500 range, plus some ongoing maintenance. To date, we have been promised a generous grant of $1,565 from the Rebecca M. MacKay Endowment, managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (GTRCF) earmarked specifically for this safety improvement project.

More Good News!

Two anonymous donors have come forward to offer matching fund donations — for every dollar you donate to this project (up to $1,500 total), these donors will match it! Contribute $50 and they will double it to $100!

We hope this opportunity to directly help improve the safety of the BVT — along with the generosity of the MacKay Endowment and our matching fund donors — will encourage you to donate to this project. To do so, visit our Donate page and choose online (via Paypal or Credit Card) or print out the mail-in form.

Each method offers choices for your donation. For Paypal/Credit Card there is a dropdown menu that lists options. We have temporarily added a choice for: Rt. 115 Intersection Safety Project. This will ensure your support goes specifically to this project and will be matched!

Our new Trail Care Coordinator, Charlie Gregory, and his Trail Crew volunteers are eager to install these safety signs this spring. Please help us meet this goal by showing your support today. Together, we’re building a better-than-ever Betsie Valley Trail!

>>UPDATE: Response to our fundraising effort has been great. We’d like to recognize: Bob and Kris McLain of McLain Cycle & Fitness in Traverse City for their most generous donation of $1,500, Joseph & Anne Purpura Endowment for their gift of $1,000, Paul & Laurine Madison ($500), Michele Ferenchick & Craig Sharp ($300), and Bill & Carin Northway, Ed Scott, Tom & Laura Trudeau (each donated $250). A big THANK YOU to all of you who contributed to our safety project!