State Grant Unlocks Major Upgrades at Vasa Trailhead Park

Grand Traverse County announced that it secured a $400,000 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to support a substantial upgrade of Vasa Trailhead Park on Bartlett Road in Williamsburg. The grant will be combined with $300,000 in county capital improvement dollars and $100,000 in matching funds from TART Trails, creating an $800,000 budget for reconstruction and access improvements.

Planned work includes reconstruction of the stormwater retention system, expanded and improved parking, creation of new connecting pathways between the warming hut and the trails, dedicated ADA parking spots, warming hut upgrades, improved wayfinding, and a second entry into the VASA trail network. County parks staff and trail partners have completed design and engineering for the project, and officials said construction scheduling will follow once the state disburses the grant funds.

The VASA network is a widely used regional recreational resource, drawing local residents and visitors to its trail system. Upgrading the trailhead is intended to better align the facility with the community’s original vision for safe, accessible and sustainable trail access, county officials said. Rebuilding the stormwater infrastructure will address drainage that contributes to trail and parking area degradation, and the second entry point aims to spread trail traffic and reduce bottlenecks during peak use.

For Grand Traverse County residents, the project promises tangible benefits. Expanded parking and improved ADA access will make the trailhead easier to use for families, older adults and people with mobility needs. Enhanced wayfinding and new pathways between the warming hut and the trails will improve navigation and safety, especially during winter months when the warming hut is a focal point for trail users.

State disbursement of the grant is expected in 2026, after which county staff will finalize a construction schedule and communicate timing to the public. Partners including TART Trails will continue coordinating implementation and community outreach as the project moves into the construction phase.