This article is part of an ongoing #InspiringGenerosity series highlighting people, agencies, and programs the Bay Area Community Foundation supports.
“Thank you for fixing that,” says a cyclist riding on the
Frank N. Andersen Nature Trail near the
Bay City State Park.
She and another cyclist were riding on newly-refilled sections of trail between Lauria Road and Mussell Beach Drive-In, waving to members of the Board of the
Friends of Bay City State Park as they pass.
A final sealcoating was recently applied. Before that, gnarled tree roots were taken out and several sections of the trail were repaired. In the end, more than half a mile of the trail was repaired, creating a smooth pathway.
Bicyclists, walkers, runners, and nature enthusiasts regularly hop on the trail from several different entry points including the Andersen Trailhead on State Park Drive, the
Tobico Marsh, and
Riverwalk/Railtrail.
![]()
Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Bay City State ParkThe Friends of the Bay City State Park organization raised money to supplement grants for repairs to the Frank N. Anderson Nature TrailOver the past several years, tree roots have grown under the trail and pushed it up in places.
“These tree roots were large and had popped up, and it was a safety issue,” says Cathy Washabaugh, Treasurer of the Friends of Bay City State Park.
Although she hadn’t heard reports of anyone falling or being injured on the tree roots, there had been a number of complaints. “
Fortunately, we have had people that not only did they complain, but they complained with a check.”
About 15 sections of the trail were repaired by removing tree roots and replacing blacktop.
“Our focus was to fix the bad areas and then to do an overlay on the other areas,” says Washabaugh, explaining that they tried to make the project as affordable as possible.
Funds for the project were raised through donations to the Friends and through sales at the
Wetlands Wonders Giftshop inside the
Saginaw Bay Visitor Center.
Washabaugh says the section that was completed in July cost $53,000, but a State Department of Natural Resources matching grant of $20,000 helped with much of that. Washabaugh says
Bay Area Community Foundation Riverwalk Railtrail Endowment Fund contributed $15,000.
“It takes a village,” says Washabaugh.
Volunteers are key members of the village. “It takes a lot of volunteers with different expertise or different contacts to help get these projects off the ground.”
It also took the work of a contractor. “We have a local contractor,
Pyramid Paving and Contracting Co., who does a fabulous job,” she says.
While the worst of the tree root problem was near Lauria Road, the Friends group helps maintain a much larger piece of the Andersen Trail.
![]()
Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Bay City State ParkThe refurbished trail offers riders and walkers a smooth, even surface.In 2021, the group helped with the resurfacing of a section of the Tobico Marsh Trail that starts at Euclid Avenue and runs north along the marsh, through a wooded glade, and onto the cattail-filled marsh. The beginning of that trail was resurfaced to create a safe path for people to enjoy the tranquility of the marsh.
The next project on their agenda is the .45-mile Chickadee Nature Trail, Washabaugh says.
Before any work can be done there, some decisions need to be made, though. The small loop of trail that turns off the main trail into the State Park used to have signs with speakers. Lately, the willow roots are popping up through the trail. Sections fill with water when there’s a heavy rainfall.
Washabaugh says it’s a topic for discussion at the next board meeting, but “really, it is a DNR call.” The short loop is a ponding issue, and washes out underneath, and could be a costly fix. She says they won’t make any decision without the DNR’s approval.
“We’re just the Friends of the Park. We’re just there to help make the park better,” she says. “Because of that ponding issue, that would really be their call because that does help deteriorate a trail faster.”
Making the park a better place for everyone takes funding, says Judy Thomas, President of the Board. She also volunteers at the gift shop in the Visitor Center.
“We need more people willing to volunteer and step up to the plate, even at the gift shop,” she says, because the shop raises funds for projects such as repairing the trails.
“None of us get paid,” she says, so merchandise inside the shop is inexpensive. All proceeds go right back into the park.
“That’s our biggest fundraiser as well as the
Beach Wellness Race. Those are the fundraisers that we use to help with projects such as, whether it be the trails, or we built the stage for music, the activity shelter, all those types of things.”
Thomas says the Friends group always needs volunteers. There is a link on the
group’s website to either join or donate, or stop into the
gift shop.
Gift shop hours vary for the summer, but it is open weekends, Thomas says. Follow the Friends
Facebook page for details on projects and events at the park as well as summer hours.