by Japhet Hoff
When visitors ride along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, they often notice the scenery, the wildlife, and the peaceful experience of being outdoors. What they may not notice are the people working behind the scenes to care for this special trail.
At the Tucker Lake Boardwalk, a group of teenage stewards recently stepped in to help restore the boardwalk and care for the trail.
These students are part of YouthWork, a program of Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan that provides hands-on experience through conservation and community projects. Over the summer, they worked alongside the National Park Service to rebuild the Tucker Lake Boardwalk, carefully replacing aging boards and restoring an important connection on the Heritage Trail.
The Tucker Lake Boardwalk carries visitors above a beautiful wetland area, connecting Crystal View Road to M-22 near the Homestead. After years of exposure to the elements, sections of the boardwalk began to deteriorate as the materials rotted. The affected sections were closed to ensure the safety of trail users.
When I visited the restoration site one day, I saw five people hard at work above the wetland. One National Park Service employee led the project and taught the crew, while four teenage stewards from YouthWork worked alongside him, learning and contributing every step of the way.
Working under the summer sun, the crew brought a lighthearted energy and a willingness to learn. Although many of the YouthWork students had little prior experience with this type of construction, they quickly developed a rhythm, working together to measure, cut, and install each board under the Park’s guidance.
Each new piece of decking, made possible by the generous support of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes donors, brought the boardwalk one step closer to reopening. Board by board, the crew helped restore an important trail connection and preserve visitors’ ability to experience this unique wetland area.
For YouthWork Crew Lead Paige Pucelik, opportunities like this are about much more than construction. They give teenagers the chance to work together, build confidence, learn new skills, and see the impact of their efforts.
Paige shared that one of the most rewarding parts of the project has been watching the students realize their work will have a lasting impact. The boards they install today will become part of a trail experience enjoyed by visitors for years to come.
Throughout the project, the crew has also seen how much this restoration means to the trail community. Many bikers passing by have stopped to ask about the progress and share their excitement about seeing the boardwalk rebuilt. Those moments have helped the students see firsthand how their efforts make a difference.
The Tucker Lake Boardwalk restoration is a powerful example of what can happen when people come together with a shared goal. With guidance from the National Park Service, the dedication of the YouthWork crew, and support from Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes donors, this special section of the Heritage Trail is receiving care from the next generation of conservation stewards.
When visitors return to the Tucker Lake Boardwalk, they’ll experience more than a restored section of trail. They’ll also benefit from the dedication, teamwork, and care of the people who came together to preserve this special place.
Want to help care for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail? Your support helps Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes fund projects that maintain the trail, protect the surrounding landscape, and create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of stewards. Support the Heritage Trail Today!