Volunteers prep bike track for new season

Next workday at Shore Acres Park is April 15.

Austin TenHarmsel, left, Mark Kappel, center, and Brandon Rapp work on the bike trail at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., in Laketown Township on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Brandon Rapp dug in the hillside at Shore Acres Township Park on Wednesday evening March 25, 2026, pulling out sticks and leaves and leveling the bike trail.

He’s been a trail rider at the park for about six years and wanted to lend a hand – and a shovel – at improving the route through woods at the Shore Acres Bike Park, 6602 138th Ave.

“It’s my hometown,” the Laketown Township resident said, and he wants to keep it looking good.

He joined Mark Kappel of the Michigan’s Edge Mountain Bike Association, the group that oversees the bike areas, and Austin TenHarmsel in the year’s first work session at the bike park.

Brandon Rapp, front, Mark Kappel, center, and Austin TenHarmsel clear debris and level the bike trail at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., in Laketown Township on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Other Volunteer Trail Workdays are 5-7 p.m. on April 15 and May 6.

For those sessions, bring gloves, durable shoes, and a willingness to use a shovel, rake, and wheelbarrow to improve features and learn the basics of trail maintenance. 

Water and tools will be provided.

Meet at the skills area, which is a few yards north and west of the chapel at the park.

Mark Kappel and Brandon Rapp clear debris and level the bike trail at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., in Laketown Township on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

About the bike park

A 1.9-mile bicycle trail runs through the 40-acre park. A skills track, once a BMX course, is also in the park. The site includes tracks for beginners, advanced and areas for expert jump-lines.

The entire trail system and skills area are maintained by volunteers through the 501c(3) at no cost to the township.

Austin TenHarmsel, left, Mark Kappel, center, and Brandon Rapp work on the bike trail at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., in Laketown Township on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

The bike park is for non-motorized use only. Riders on the trail must wear a helmet, yield to all foot traffic, respect all trail users and ride clockwise on the trail loop.

Shore Acres Township Park is owned by Laketown Township. It includes a disc golf course, the biking course and trails, and hiking trails that link to Saugatuck Dunes State Park and Lake Michigan, and the Felt Estate.

A map at the kiosk at the trailhead at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., in Laketown Township on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, shows the bike trail.