Dragon Elongation

Nearly 22 miles open now, with plans for more in 2022 

Stanwood, MI: The end of the 2021 construction season on Michigan’s Dragon at Hardy Dam— or the Dragon Trail, as most people call it—saw an additional seven miles added to the total that  are now open to the public. 

This year’s construction was based in Mecosta County, with two additional trail segments being  fully completed and another partially so. The trail, when finished, will be an estimated 47-mile  loop made up of 11 segments encircling Hardy Pond in Mecosta and Newaygo counties.  

The newly opened trail can be found starting at Brower Park, at 23056 Polk Road, in Stanwood.  It continues into segments five and six, which are now complete, and into segment seven. Previously, segments eight through eleven were completed, as well as portions of two and four. This brings the total open mileage to 21.75. There will be another portion that opens in the  spring of 2022, and construction next year will continue as well, this time on the Newaygo  County side of the trail.  

“We’re already seeing a great number of visitors on the newly opened trail segments, and  people are excited to sample the new Dragon miles,” said Mecosta County Parks  Superintendent Jeff Abel. “We have plenty of parking at Brower Park and our newest trailhead  at Davis Bridge Park, giving people a number of options when considering where to jump onto  the trail in both counties.” 

The trail is open year-round for biking, hiking, trail running, and even snow shoeing. Trail  conditions are updated on the trail’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/midragontrail,  and updated maps will soon be available on the trail’s web page, https://thedragon.us.  
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Community support is needed to continue construction on the Dragon Trail. Sponsorships of  trail components for companies, foundations, individuals, and families are still available. To  learn how you can help build or maintain the Dragon, or make a gift, visit  https://www.thedragon.us/support-the-dragon-trail/donate/.

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