March 10, 2025: CIVIC CENTER WALKING TRACK IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY

CIVIC CENTER WALKING TRACK IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY

(Traverse City, Michigan – Grand Traverse County) – Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation officials are preparing for Civic Center Walking Track Improvements that will get underway the week of March 24th with the removal of the bridge over W. Civic Center Drive.  The removal will require closing of the road for at least one day, possibly two.  After the bridge is removed, crews will begin working on the abutments and wing walls that support the new bridge.  Officials are expecting the new bridge to arrive sometime in May and for installation to occur in June.  After installation, a new concrete deck will be poured and then the crew will be completing additional work on the bridge before it opens.  It is anticipated that the bridge will be unavailable from March 24th through mid-June.  The road will be available during that time with only brief closures to accommodate removal and installation.  

Work on the track will begin once there is snow-free ground. The work will begin with the installation of the parallel soft running path. This path will be 3’ wide and be composed of fine crushed gravel.  The track will see intermittent closures during this time to accommodate heavy equipment. 

Following the soft path, the crew will pulverize the existing track surface, prep that surface with gravel, and then overlay a new course of asphalt.  This process is estimated to take two weeks and will require closure of the track.  

The last portion of the project includes grading and paving of the gravel parking lot at the SW corner of the park that serves the amphitheater and pavilion, along with adding connecting pathways and a crosswalk.  Additionally, seven fitness stations will be added along the track.

Substantial completion of the project is expected by June 27th with full completion by July 25th.  

AJ’s Excavating is the contractor navigating the project.  They are aware that the park is an active recreation space and will be sequencing activities to minimize disruption to park visitors as best as possible.  That said, GTC officials do know there will be some disruption and appreciate visitors being patient during the process.

The project is funded primarily through a Michigan Spark grant for $998,800, along with generous support from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Traverse City Track Club.  Total project cost is approximately $1.1 million.

“We are proud to be able to bring this improvement to the Civic Center. This park sees the highest use with the widest range of activities of all Grand Traverse County Parks.  The walking track alone averages more than 200 users daily year-round, with much higher numbers through the warmer months.  By our calculations using the data from trail counters along the path, visitors walked an estimated 104,423 miles in 2024. We believe the current surface to be approximately 30 years old. It has lived a great life and has served residents and guests well. It’s time for a refresh,” said John Chase Director, Parks and Facilities Grand Traverse County.

Replacement of the pathway surface is a key component to the Civic Center Master Site Plan developed in 2020 with significant community involvement.