TART Trails hopes to install at least a mile's worth of new youth mountain biking trail (pictured) on the 40-acre parcel that houses the VASA pathway trailhead.

TART Trails Planning & Management Director Chris Kushman appeared before Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation commissioners Thursday to seek approval for the project, which would take place on county-owned land. Kushman explained his organization had been working with the Northern Michigan Mountain Biking Association on more "diversification of the trail system" in the Grand Traverse area.

"Much of it, or almost all of it, is designed for older, strong cyclists," Kushman said. "There isn't really the type of trail that younger kids feel comfortable (on) or enjoy."

Kushman said TART Trails would use its own resources and volunteers to make the single-track trail, which he said could be easily routed around existing park trees. "We really intend to have low impact (on the landscape)," he said. Kushman also added that TART Trails could potentially fundraise in the future to add more trails or amenities at the park for younger riders.

Parks and Recreation commissioners approved the project, giving the green light to TART to begin staking out the trail and asking for updates as the project progressed.

"I think it’s a good idea," said Parks and Recreation Chair John Roth. "It’s a property that could use more activity on."