40 acres of forest property will be preserved for the public’s enjoyment now than Chikaming Open Lands has acquired it. Director Ryan Postema tells us the organization raised $370,000, including an $80,000 grant from the Carls Foundation, to purchase Sugarwood Forest from private owners for $200,000. The other $170,000 will be used for development of a parking lot and some trails and future maintenance. The land is located on Elm Valley Road next to Warren Woods State Park, and eventually, the trail systems could be connected. Postema says the Sugarwood Forest features large beech trees and a ravine with a stream running through it. The plan is for the trails to take hikers along scenic views of the ravine.
