A local nonprofit is on a mission to enhance and maintain all non-motorized trails across Delta County, with a focus on creating a welcoming environment for outdoor enthusiasts.
Delta County Non-Motorized Trails (DCNT), established in 2018, is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the county’s trail system. The group’s efforts, driven by a community of passionate volunteers, have made significant progress over the past few years.
Rick Elrod, Secretary of DCNT’s Marketing Committee, recently discussed the organization’s origins, achievements, and ongoing projects.
“The idea of single-track mountain bike trails has been discussed for many years,” Elrod said, recalling the early stages of trail development in Delta County.
In 2015, the Delta County Convention and Visitors Bureau, in partnership with Visit Escanaba, brought in a trail designer from the International Mountain Bicycling Association to assess and design a potential trail system. Despite the promising plans, the project lacked the momentum needed for implementation at the time.
However, by 2018, local mountain bikers reignited discussions about the potential to improve existing trails and introduce new ones, leading to the formation of DCNT.
“Since our formation in 2018, we have made significant progress in enhancing trails across Delta County,” Elrod said.
DCNT’s accomplishments include constructing three miles of single-track mountain bike trails at Days River Pathway, placing crushed aggregate on various sections of the Days River Pathway ski trail loops to improve usability and mitigate sandy areas, and adding over 2,000 feet of boardwalk at the Escanaba West Side Recreation Area. Additionally, the group has built boardwalks on the Days River Nature Trail to improve year-round access and has hosted numerous trail-running, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking events.
“Creating the single-track trails at Days River was a major motivation for establishing our nonprofit, but our broader goal is to enhance all non-motorized trails in Delta County,” Elrod added.
DCNT has also partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and secured funds from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Recreation Trails Program to design and build an additional nine miles of single-track trails at Days River Pathway.
“This project is still ongoing, with construction expected to start in the summer of 2025,” Elrod said, noting that the timeline has been extended due to the complex approval process involving state agencies.
MDOT is collaborating with a consulting firm and a professional trail-building contractor to ensure the trail is designed and constructed to the highest standards.
“Given that the project is on state land and managed by a state agency, there are additional steps involved, which have prolonged the timeline. However, the good news is that construction is slated to begin in summer 2025, and the trail will be professionally designed and built, making it a destination trail for the area,” Elrod said.
Despite their progress, DCNT is actively seeking more volunteers, particularly an events coordinator, to help them return to hosting community events.
“We encourage anyone interested in joining the board of directors or one of our committees to reach out and see how they can get involved,” Elrod urged.
He emphasized that while the public may not have heard much from the organization recently, DCNT remains committed to its mission of improving the county’s non-motorized trails.
“As a board and organization, we’re currently reassessing our priorities and reigniting our passion for enhancing trails in our community,” Elrod concluded.
This dedicated group continues to push forward, ensuring Delta County’s trails are preserved, improved, and enjoyed by all.
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