Our mission is to promote, construct, and maintain the scenic Blue Star Trail to connect people and communities from Saugatuck to South Haven while improving their safety, wellness, economic health, and environment.
The above renderings show 2 new (as of June 2019) route options from Lake Street in Saugatuck to Main Street in Douglas - click on slides to learn and see more
Help Connect Us All!
SIGN OUR PETITION to express your support for Blue Star Trail by clicking on blue PETITION
To learn how you can help more, click on the "Connect Us" logo immediately below...Thank you!
SIGN OUR PETITION to express your support for Blue Star Trail by clicking on blue PETITION
To learn how you can help more, click on the "Connect Us" logo immediately below...Thank you!
WHAT'S NEW?
Click on blue links for details
October, 2019
Saugatuck City Council unanimously approved a resolution presented by the City Manager that the City “supports” proceeding with the north section of the Blue Star Trail in conjunction with Saugatuck Township and Douglas. But the resolution —with no input from the Friends of the Trail-- imposes conditions that make it actually a step backward, as several speakers at the meeting noted. Go to our What's New page under Trail Updates for more details.
September, 2019
On September 14, the 8th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride attracted over 400 riders and raised more than $26,000 towards construction of the Blue Star Trail.
Big thanks to our sponsors, tour stops, volunteers and participants!
June, 2019
-New 2 route options from Saugatuck City to Douglas are presented.
-Kickoff of 'Connect Us' campaign begins with goal to secure approval from Saugatuck City Council of a Trail route in 2019.
May, 2019
A local couple, who wish to remain anonymous, have made a conditional $200,000 pledge to the Friends of the Blue Star Trail towards completion of the non-motorized path’s northern section. Their goal is to connect, in one phase, the Trail from Douglas to the Blue Star Trail/Beeline Trail in Saugatuck Township (see below).
EVENTS!
Click on logo to learn more about our Annual Bike Tour on September 14, 2019
WHO ARE WE?
An all-volunteer charitable organization partnering with local communities to promote and fund the scenic Blue Star Trail - a 20 mile paved, non-motorized recreational trail between Saugatuck and South Haven.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Friends of the Blue Star Trail acts as a catalyst in partnership with local communities to promote and fund the trail.
HOW IS IT FUNDED?
We raise money through direct donations and our two main fund-raising events – “Toast to the Blue Star Trail” and “Lakeshore Harvest Ride”. These activities fund engineering and provide local match funds required to obtain state/federal matching grants needed to construct the trail.
WHY BUILD A TRAIL...?
SAFETYSeparate pedestrians, runners, bikers, and skiers from roadways
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WELLNESSEncourage physical outdoor activity and recreation
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ECONOMIC HEALTHIncrease visitor and resident traffic to businesses and attractions along the route.
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CONNECTIVITYConnecting people and communities from Saugatuck to South Haven and beyond
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ENVIRONMENTImproved air quality due to zero emission transportation and recreation
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