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Republic Trail Opening

September 23, 2015

Republic, MI – A celebratory  Run/Bike event with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 26,  11 am at the western terminus of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail in downtown Republic .  The Iron Ore Heritage Recreation Authority (IOHRA) recently upgraded 2.5 miles of trail reaching from downtown Republic at the Chicken Coop/Iron Ore Heritage Trailhead , along School Lake, and proceeding north on the LS&I rail grade to the Republic/Humboldt Township Line.  The trail was built and upgraded with a fine crushed aggregate ranging from eight feet to ten feet wide to accommodate walkers, bikers, ORVers, snowmobilers, and equestrians.

Awarded a $281,000 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant and $100,000 from the Cliffs Eagle Mine Community Fund, the Iron Ore Heritage Trail used these funds and their general fund to upgrade the Republic portion of the trail as well an additional 2.5 miles of trail within the City of Ishpeming and Tilden Township.  A kiosk with four Republic story panels, researched and written with the help of the Republic Historical Society, has also been placed at the trail head. The total project is expected to be nearly $500,000.

“Our board is ecstatic to see this last trail upgrade project finalized.  We promised voters in 2010 that we would use their tax dollars to build, manage and maintain the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.  Now, we have combined their money with State, Federal and other private monies to upgrade all sections of the trail within the boundaries of our township and city members and have done it earlier than expected,” cited Carol Fulsher, administrator of the IOHRA.  “Now we get to celebrate this final construction project.”

Elizabeth Hangas, a Republic Township Planning Board member added, “Republic residents feel connected to the Marquette County communities with this new trail in place that brings all sorts of trail users to our downtown.  We have already seen more bikers and ORV’ers coming into Republic. We look forward to being the western most start or stop for people looking to experience the iron Ore Heritage Trail. We have an interesting mining history and look forward to sharing the stories of the people and places of Republic.”

For more information on the September 26 event, please contact Elizabeth Hangas at 906-376-8005.