The Banadad Trail Association has launched a fundraising campaign to construct a new section of trail and to enlarge the parking on the trail’s west end. The 29-mile Banadad is a very popular hiking and cross country ski trail.
The Banadad Trail Association is undertaking a fundraising campaign to construct a new section of the trail and enlarge the parking on the trail’s west end. The project will reconstruct the west end of the Banadad Trail, which crosses private property, secure a permanent easement, and ensure continued access for skiers from the west end.
“We are so excited to undertake this project,” said BTA president Linda Bosma, who has been skiing the Banadad Trail for 18 years. “A change in property ownership creates the opportunity for us to improve the west end of the trail, which is popular with day skiers who want to ski in and out, as well as the through skiers, who ski the entire 29 kilometers of the trail in one day.”
The project cost is $11,340. The BTA has been awarded a Trail Connections Grant from the Department of Natural Resources that will cover $7,800 and the association must raise the balance. “This is the most ambitious project we have undertaken as a new organization,” said John Bottger, BTA vice president and Gunflint Trail resident. “We’ve secured grants and donations to cover maintenance and grooming costs of the trail since 2009, when we formed, and last year we rebuilt a remotely located bridge within the BWCA. So while this new project is significant, we feel up to this challenge. But we’ll definitely need the support of our members, skiers, and other supporters of the trail.”
Bosma noted that people have already begun donating, even though the campaign is just getting off the ground, with over $1,000 in donations already received this week. “We’re extremely gratified by the early show of support we’ve received—we love this trail and construction of this new section on the west end is vital to ensuring access to the trail in the future.”
Those interesting in donating can do so through the Banadad Trail Association page on GiveMN.org: givemn. razoo.com/ story/ Banadad- Trail-Association or by sending a check directly to the Banadad Trail Association, P.O. Box 436, Grand Marais, MN 55604. The BTA hopes to reach the fundraising goal by Sept. 15, 2013.
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