Mountain and fat tire cyclists, cross country skiers, hikers and snow shoers, trail runners and other outdoor enthusiasts will soon have a new venue to pursue their favorite outdoor activities, all within easy walking or cycling distance of downtown Hastings.
Monday, Nov. 14, crews began construction of the six-plus mile Hammond Hill Multi-Use Trail. The narrow 18" to 36" natural surface trail is being constructed to complement the natural features and existing disc golf course at the Hammond Hill Recreation Area and will be connected to Tyden Park and Hastings Riverwalk.
The initial planning and project oversight is being done by professional trail builders, Dirt Artisans, aided by volunteers. When complete, maintenance will be done by volunteers organized and trained by the WMMBA.
The total cost of the project is $120,000. Funding will be raised by the City of Hastings and the West Michigan Mountain Bike Association (WMMBA) through grants, private donations, and fundraising events. Other funding sources include the MEDC, Barry Community Foundation and Barry-Roubaix. A crowd funding campaign is schedule to begin later this month.
Look for project updates on the Hastings website https://hastingsmi.org and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hastingsmi.org.
Photo: Professional trail builders, Dirt Artisans, begin work on the Hammond Hill Trail. It is expected to take about six weeks to complete.
