Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette The lot near the Hancock Beach will now become the Creekside Trailhead and Bike Park after a successful fundraising campaign by the Hancock Trails Club. The park is anticipating its official opening in late May or early June 2026.

HANCOCK — In just two week’s time, the Hancock Trails Club fundraiser has ended … in success. The effort surpassed the $50,000 goal to build Creekside Trailhead and Bike Park at the Hancock Recreation Area. The fundraiser raised $59,440 in total, and in meeting the $50,000 target, the club qualified for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s matching grant for the project. Some features that will be part of the multi skill level park include a skill line hub, linear feet trails with jumps and drops, a children’s strider loop, pump track and a green space with picnic tables.

The money, which exceeded the fundraising, goal will go toward a refurbished climbing trail. The climbing trail will provide bikers a one-way path to return to the top of the hill after going downhill on the park’s runs. This will aid in keeping traffic steady and help prevent bikers from moving up hills other bikers are using.

“The amount of support from the local community kind of blew us all away,” Hancock Trails Club Board member Ian Helman said. “Here at the Hancock Trails Club, we had a lot of local businesses and local community members that pitched in that we didn’t reach out to, and they just took the initiative to pitch into a big place making activity in the City of Hancock. So we’re really excited for this upcoming project and how large of an impact it’s going to have on the city of Hancock.”

Helman explained the City of Hancock recently approved a connecting trail to the campground and Hancock Beach, which will allow easier access to Hancock’s outdoor attractions without needing a vehicle. The bike park will be connected to this trail system.

With the fundraiser ended, the club can now pay some of the bills associated with the project with Far North Trail Company that is handling construction. As the first phase of the project is being implemented, Helman said the club is planning Phase II which includes a connecting trail to the Skyway Trail and additional trails inside of Creekside. The club will be looking for partners or grant projects for the Phase II.

The bike park will be worked on until spring, though the first phase is planned to be completed in this fall. The club is aiming for a late May or early June grand opening.