Former Timber Shores property acquired by tribe, local nonprofit
After a two-year long fundraising effort to preserve the former Timber Shores campground in Leelanau Township, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) and local nonprofit New Community Vision (NCV) have officially closed on the acquisition of the property.
According to the warranty deeds signed on Dec. 20, the GTB Land Trust will receive approximately 188-plus acres of land, including 1,800 feet of shoreline, while NCV will receive a corner parcel of 25 acres along M-22 to be used for attainable housing. With the acquisition now complete and $10 million purchase price met, the 214-acre lakeshore property will be permanently protected and preserved for years to come. Development plans for the campground and sewer over the years have been contentious among county residents and local government officials, resulting in application delays and zoning changes along the way. However, since an exclusive purchase option was negotiated in early 2023, NCV has been actively working not only to raise enough money, but to build awareness about the land’s vulnerable ecosystems and the history with the tribe that dates back hundreds of years.
