Leelanau Conservancy Seeks to Revitalize Sugar Loaf for Public Access

With the community's help to raise necessary funds, generous landowners pledge to donate the historic Sugar Loaf property.

LEELANAU COUNTY, Mich., July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sugar Loaf, one of Northern Michigan's most iconic landscapes, is poised for a remarkable rebirth. The Leelanau Conservancy must raise $1.6 million by the end of the year to transform the long-dormant site into a world-class public scenic area, permanently protected and open to all.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore a place that holds deep meaning for so many," said Tom Nelson, Executive Director of the Leelanau Conservancy. "We envision Sugar Loaf as a place where people of all ages and abilities can hike, bike, cross-country ski, play, and reconnect with nature—where conservation and community come together on the mountaintop." 

The vision for the new Sugar Loaf includes:

• A publicly accessible trail network for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
• Universal access features, including a universal access loop trail for people with restricted mobility.
• A summit pavilion for scenic views.
• Family-friendly features, such as a sledding hill, nature play area, and outdoor gathering space.
• Ecological restoration to protect native species, reduce erosion, and improve water quality in the Good Harbor Bay Watershed.

Thanks to the generosity of the anonymous landowner who acquired the property in 2020 and funded the clean-up of the shuttered hotel and abandoned ski infrastructure, Sugar Loaf is ready for its next chapter. Once the Conservancy meets its fundraising goal, the present owner will donate ownership of approximately 285 acres to the nonprofit, securing its protection and public access forever. The landowner will retain ownership of the currently closed airfield.

Funds will go towards stewardship, trail construction, restoration, and infrastructure to welcome the public back to Sugar Loaf. For now, the property remains closed to public access until the funding goal is met, and the property finds its final home with the Leelanau Conservancy.

"Ownership feels this land should belong to the community. Its goal has always been to see Sugar Loaf preserved and reopened to the public, not developed. By placing it in the capable hands of the Leelanau Conservancy, and through the support of its members and the community at large, ownership can ensure that future generations will enjoy Sugar Loaf's recreation and cherish its views forever," says Ross Satterwhite, who has represented ownership throughout the process. "It is an incredibly generous gift to the Conservancy and community," he said.

The Conservancy is calling on the public to help raise the necessary funds to secure the donation and bring the vision to life. So far, $6.4 million has been raised; $1.6 million is needed to complete fundraising. Every contribution brings the community one step closer to protecting Sugar Loaf. More than a memory, Sugar Loaf will be a living legacy of conservation and recreation for everyone, forever.

Community Information Sessions will be held and are open to the public.

• July 30th, 6pm at Solon Township Hall.
• August 5th, 6pm at Glen Arbor Township Hall.

To sign up, learn more or donate, visit leelanauconservancy.org/sugarloaf 

About the Leelanau Conservancy
The Leelanau Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust. Founded in 1988, the Leelanau Conservancy has protected more than 19,000 acres of critical natural lands and working farms across the Leelanau Peninsula. Through land protection, stewardship, and community engagement, the Conservancy works to ensure that Leelanau's natural beauty, ecological health, and rural character are preserved for generations to come. Learn more at https://www.leelanauconservancy.org.

SOURCE Leelanau Conservancy