After spending so long in exile, it was inevitable that SugarLoaf mountain would evolve into little more than geography.
A place driven by unnoticed with little thought to its history of harboring the economic engine that kept Leelanau County afloat every winter from 1947 until 2000.
After the Leelanau Conservancy raises another $500,000 or so to complete the purchase and bank funds for recreational redevelopment of the mountain, SugarLoaf will no longer be ignored.
“Recreationally, it’s going to help out immensely,” said Wayne (Soni) Aylsworth, owner of the Empire Outdoors retail store and former Empire Village president. “We’ll be able to draw from other counties, and even other states.”
The Leelanau Conservancy in mid-July announced that it had formed a partnership with an anonymous landowner to purchase the 285-acre property, which had been the source of speculation, rumors and investigations for decades.
So it’s easy to forget the damage done to the county economy when the resort closed. And it’s difficult to grasp the positive impact SugarLoaf will have as a viable, four-season outdoor recreation mecca.
When growing up in Leelanau County Aylsworth spent most winter nights on the slopes of SugarLoaf, as did a couple generations of county kids. While the Conservancy has no plans to return downhill skiing to SugarLoaf mountain — Aylsworth is practically begging for a ski tow bar, and the Conservancy heard similar pleas during a summer of input gathering — the place is certain to compete for attention in a county renown for its outside recreation opportunities.
“If they build a mountain bike trail, that will be huge in the mountain bike world — especially if they bring in a world-renown trail designer. If they built what they could on the steep part, with wood transfers and stable grounds, I feel it could be extremely valuable to the county. We could host professional races. That would be excellent,” Aylsworth said.
He added, with absolutely no home-town humility, “The view is astronomical. From the top are some of the most beautiful views, and I’d say they are No. 2 in the state. Empire Bluffs would be No. 1. I’ve been around and I’ve seen views that are breathtaking. SugarLoaf is right there.”
The excitement builds as people consider the possibilities, according to Brighid Driscoll, director of communications for the Conservancy. Through a summer of well-attended public meetings, which were designed to gather input on the future of SugarLoaf as well as fundraise, people appreciated that the view of SugarLoaf will be preserved, and the view from SugarLoaf will be accessible again.
“It’s a unique project,” Driscoll said. “This beloved place has such a following. I’m excited about it, and even if I didn’t work for the Conservancy I’d want to get to the top of that hill … it’s the biggest project undertaken by the Conservancy.”
That’s saying something for an organization with 28 natural areas and preserves in Leelanau County.
What’s emerging is an all-purpose recreation plan for SugarLoaf designed for family units, folks who have difficulty getting around, and hard-core recreationists such as mountain bikers, uphill runners and “human-powered” backcountry skiers.
The top of SugarLoaf will be gained over a hard-pack, gently sloped trail. Two pavilions are envisioned, one at the bottom of the mountain to be used as a community gathering space with picnic benches and a play area, and another at the top for viewing.
Like any project involving people, infrastructure must come first. After the sale closes, which is expected in the spring, the Conservancy will start work on a five-year build-out with construction of two gravel parking areas with grassy overflow parking for busier seasons, four unisex restrooms near the main parking area, and a portable toilet near the summit.
Benches along the summit trail will help visitors appreciate their journeys.
Also coming are cross country ski trails, hiking trails and a stepway to the summit.
Cleveland Township supervisor Tim Stein has envisioned the worst that could happen to SugarLoaf — that’s his job, and the Township responded with a view-shed ordinance to prevent obtrusive condo development from above — and considers the Conservancy purchase as the best.
“That was my fear, that it would have been proposed for development, and we would end up in lawsuits challenging our view ordinance. It would have been challenged. We’re a litigious society. And I would have hated to have the folks down below looking up at sun shining off glass,” Stein said.
He’s been impressed with the Conservancy’s strategy in purchasing the property and planning for its development by raising $8 million.
“It’s mind blowing. It’s going to be fabulous, especially after looking at how (the Conservancy) is doing it. They are keying in on family-orientated values. Picnic areas and walking trails that are not straight up and straight down. It will be accessible to people of all ages. If they raise the money — and they will raise the money, they’re almost there — there will be a pavilion at the top of the mountain, but they are going to blend it into the landscape,” Stein said.
