The Dragon Roars to Completion

Ribbon cutting culminates a 15 year journey

“Good afternoon and welcome to Sandy Beach County Park. We last met here in 2019 to kick off construction of Michigan’s Dragon on Hardy Pond. Today we come back together to start a new chapter of outdoor recreation and tourism in the Newaygo and Mecosta Counties and the state of Michigan.”

Those were the words of Newaygo County Parks Director Nick Smith as trail leaders, donors, and project partners gathered at Sandy Beach County  Park to celebrate the end of construction on Michigan's Dragon at Hardy Dam. For the past six  years, the 45-mile-long natural surface trail has been under construction, with several of the 11  segments opening as they were finished. As of September 27, Segment 7, the last one under  construction, was completed, and the entire 45-mile trail is now open to the public. 

The project, a partnership between Consumers Energy, Mecosta County, Newaygo County, the  West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance, and others, started in 2009 with the idea of a trail  encircling the 4,000-acre Hardy Pond reservoir. Since then, the collaborative has received  permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to proceed with trail construction  around the hydroelectric impoundment in 2019. 

There were many people to thank for this success, not the least of whom was Martin Hall of the West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance. Hall was involved from the onset, and helped bring a brigade of volunteers to the project. He spoke to the history of the project giving credit to many along the way who helped in the process that brought the concept to reality. Hall also added that in many ways the work had just begun for continued maintenance of the Dragon with 14 volunteer ‘Trail Adopters’ who will oversee the 11 sections of the trail.
At the last meeting of the Newaygo County Board of Commissioners Hall was recognized for his work on the Dragon and on behalf of the board Newaygo County Commission Chair Bryan Kolk presented him with a plaque commemorating the resolution.
 
Kolk addressed the crowd and spoke about the history surrounding the trail. 
“93 years ago was when the dam got built and in doing so created this backwater we are so enamored with.” He also spoke to the lengthy process that brought the project to this point as well as the income that the Dragon has brought to the area with over 80,000 visitors riding the trail last year before the final stages of construction were completed’ It’s projected The Dragon will see over 100,000 visitors this year.
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This $3+ million project was possible due to numerous funding sources and generous donors.  Some of the most considerable financial contributions came from Fremont Area Community  Foundation, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Mecosta County, Newaygo County,  Mecosta County CVB, and Consumers Energy Foundation. Many other organizations and  individuals donated generously to the project; some volunteered their time and expertise to  move it forward. “We want to thank every donor, project partner, and volunteer because without  them, this project would not have been possible,” said Jeff Abel, Mecosta County Parks  Superintendent. 

Senior Community Investment Officer Lola Harmon-Ramsey spoke on behalf of the Fremont Area Community Foundation. “In 2014 as the chairman of the distribution committee our group received a request to fund an economic impact analysis for a large trail of some sort,” she stated, drawing a laugh from the large group assembled for the event.
”Oftentimes feasibility studies are funded and completed and then not a lot happens,” she continued. “A binder of ideas may sit on a shelf in someone’s office and no action is taken.
“But not this time. 
“In 2018 an incredibly comprehensive and collaborative grant request was submitted to the Foundation and it showed a 45 mile trail with water views, sweeping valleys, a Hardy Dam crossing and multiple bridges. Our Board of Trustees was thrilled to approve an initial grant of $500,000 to support this innovative project. Various other grants have followed with our investment currently at $815,000. It has been exciting to see this project through from its inception and we congratulate the many volunteers, partners and leaders that made this project happen.”

Current Big Prairie Township Supervisor David Wright and his board were also honored for their contributions to the project and after a few more congratulatory messages from the podium, Director Smith took the mike and pronounced that it was ribbon cutting time. Soon after the ribbon bit the dust  Smith directed attendees to gather together whether by bike or on foot for an up close experience of the now completed trail.

And The Dragon, the result of a 15 year journey from concept to fruition, will now see its roar reverberate to hikers and cyclists from across the country and beyond.