The Clay Cliffs Natural Area will be for public use which will eventually include hiking trails and an observation deck.
/ Courtesy: Leelanau Conservancy
LEELANAU COUNTY (AP) -- Plans for a new nature area in Leelanau County are moving forward with the help of a new grant.
The 100 acre piece of property is off of M-22, just north of Leland. The Clay Cliffs Natural Area will be for public use which will eventually include hiking trails and an observation deck. The project is a partnership between Leland Township and the Leelanau Conservancy.
"The uniqueness of the land is that it has about 1800 feet of water frontage of Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan. It has cliffs rising about 200 feet straight over the lake, along with great scenery with forests that have developed without being cut for 100 years," explained Brian Price, Executive Director of Leelanau Consvervancy.
The project now has a 2.9-million-dollar boost from the state after Governor Snyder signed legislation Wednesday authorizing Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grants totalling 38-million-dollars. The state grants will support 99 recreation and land projects.
The Leelanau Conservancy is also raising funds from private donors for the local match needed for the project. The total amount needed to be raised locally for the purchase is $1.5 million, which includes $300,000 to be set aside for trail development and care of the property. More than one-million-dollars has been raised so far.
Officials hope to close on the land by early next year.
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