Park Projects: Rotary Gifts East Creek Reserve to GT Conservation District, Hickory Summer Camp Returns

Rotary Camps and Services has donated the 560-acre East Creek Reserve property in Mayfield just south of Traverse City to the Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD), which has long managed the site. GTCD is also involved in another major parks project, with the organization partnering with the City of Traverse City to revive day camp at Hickory Hills this summer.

East Creek Reserve
After managing the property for over 20 years, GTCD has been gifted East Creek Reserve by Rotary Camps and Services (RC&S).

GTCD announced the acquisition Wednesday of the 560-acre reserve, which is located off Mayfield Road and includes over three miles of public trails. The site is home to dense mature forests and the lowlands of East Creek, a tributary of the Boardman River (pictured, left). The Boardman River Trail crosses the northwestern edge of the reserve.

RC&S was gifted much of the land in 1993 by Howard and Mary Edwards. The rest came together in a land exchange between RC&S and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the late nineties, creating a contiguous reserve for public recreation. GTCD then began overseeing the management of East Creek Reserve on behalf of RC&S. The two entities worked with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy in 2001 to put a perpetual conservation easement on the site, with GTCD also establishing a management plan that covered recreation, land protection, and active timber management.

“For over two decades, the Conservation District has been our steward of this property, and they have done a remarkable job,” says RC&S Chair Dan Rickard. “When we considered who could and should take care of this property for future generations, it made perfect sense for us to gift the property to them.”

GTCD Executive Director Koffi Kpachavi tells The Ticker the property transfer, which has been finalized, is a “gift to the public and to the community.” He calls the East Creek Reserve an “extraordinary landscape that reflects the very heart of our mission,” thanking RC&S for “their trust and generosity.” East Creek Reserve will remain open to the public and operate essentially the same as it has been, but with opportunities for future improvements.

“We are working on a management plan for the property that could include new trails and access points,” Kpachavi says.

Hickory Hills
GTCD is partnering on another local parks project: an effort by the City of Traverse City to revive summer day camp at Hickory Hills.

City Manager Benjamin Marentette says the goal is to relaunch a day camp this summer that would run weekly Monday-Thursday. That schedule would still allow the city to “fully leverage” weekends for weddings and other rentals, Marentette says – a key revenue stream for the park. The camp would have approximately 40 slots available each week and would be operated by GTCD.

GTCD already operates its own Nature Day Camp at the Boardman River Nature Center with approximately 40-50 weekly slots (only a few slots are still open for 2026). Hickory Hills would serve as a second location, potentially doubling the number of camp spots available in a high-demand market. The city stopped hosting its Hickory Hills camp in 2022 due to staffing shortages. Marentette says the partnership with GTCD could help get the program back up and running and address a key city strategic goal, which is expanding childcare options. A small number of camp slots could be reserved for city employees to assist with childcare.

Camp costs at Hickory Hills will likely be in the $425-$450/week range, similar to GTCD’s existing camp price of $425. Those fees are planned to cover the cost of the city’s operating agreement with GTCD, Marentette says, making the program “net neutral” for the city. GTCD and the city are coordinating now on getting licensing approvals from the state. Though he could authorize the agreement as city manager, Marenette says he plans to bring the proposal to city commissioners on March 16 for review given the high level of interest around Hickory from the board. Kpachavi calls the camp a “partnership that really makes sense because of all the work we’ve been doing with the city over the years,” pointing also to a “strong need for this kind of programming” in the community.

The summer camp is one of several items that will be discussed by the city’s Hickory Hills Advisory Committee today (Thursday) at 9am at Hickory Hills Lodge. Other topics include proposed rate increases for the 2026-27 ski season, continued discussion on potential mountain bike trail development at the property, and planning for a potential 75th anniversary celebration in January 2027.

In other Hickory Hills news, the city will host the 2026 Michigan High School Nordic Ski State Championship this weekend. The competition means the lodge and slopes will not be open for public use until 5pm on Friday and Saturday (closing time will be the same as normal). Sunday will have a normal opening time. During the competition, both Nordic and Alpine skiing will be closed to the public. Hickory Meadows is available as an alternative for Nordic skiing. Race setup will begin on Thursday evening, with signage and netting placed throughout the course. Parking at Hickory will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Offsite parking will be available at St. Francis Church on Friday and Saturday and St. Francis High School Sunday. Carpooling is encouraged.