In Spring of 2019, Acme Township retained the services of Beckett & Raeder, Inc. to complete final design and engineering, construction document preparation and bid period assistance for the initial segment of the Acme to Elk Rapids Regional Non-Motorized Trail. A critical third member of the project team is Traverse Area Recreational Trails, a nonprofit organization focused on local and regional nonmotorized trail connectivity. This initial trail segment consists of a combination of separated trail and roadway bicycle lanes connecting TART trail to Traverse City on the southwest end, to the new Acme Town Center development to the east. BRI built on the preliminary design efforts of the Township and TART.

​

BRI’s scope of services began with final design and presentation to an established group of project stakeholders, including property owners from which easements would be required. After securing the approval of stakeholders and property owners, BRI completed final design to establish the final budget used in application to MDNR’s Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. Beginning in 2022, BRI completed construction administration-phase services for the trail, which was completed in Spring 2023.

​

The trail features 1.5 miles of bicycle connectivity through a combination of bike lanes and separated trails and boardwalk that wind through the Acme Creek floodplain, crossing Acme Creek and passing a model sustainable stormwater management system associated with Acme Town Center. As such, the trail provides important pedestrian links between residential and business districts, and also provides an opportunity to observe the natural environment and measures to protect it.