10 highlights for the nonprofit organization on its 10th anniversary

By Drew VanDrie | August 17, 2024

Paddle Antrim was founded in 2014 on the principle of connection – bringing people, waterways and environmental conservation together.

“Our mission is to protect our waterways by connecting people through paddle sports,” says Deana Jerdee, executive director of Paddle Antrim. “We believe that when people are on the water and engaged, they understand why we want to protect these resources and are more willing to protect them.”

Now the paddle sports organization is celebrating a decade of its involvement. We asked Jerdee to tell us the nonprofit’s 10 biggest accomplishments of the last 10 years.

1. Opening of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail

At number one on the list (and for good reason), Jerdee highlights the impressive undertaking of establishing the Water Trail. “It’s probably the biggest, most time-intensive project we’ve ever done,” she says.

Planning for the trail coincided with the formation of Paddle Antrim itself in 2014, with a focus on coordinating with the numerous site owners, local authorities and other nonprofit organizations to create a connected waterway through the entire chain of lakes in Antrim County.

The effort and persistence paid off: The Water Trail officially opened in 2021, offering 84 access points, over 100 miles of pristine water to explore (through 12 lakes and interconnected rivers), and the distinction of being the first state-designated water trail in Northern Michigan.

“As an organization, we are working with 20 different facilities along the chain of lakes to create over 100 miles of connected waterways for people to paddle,” Jerdee says.

2. Development of public resources

In addition to establishing the waterway, Paddle Antrim has focused on providing numerous resources and support to make the resource as accessible as possible.

“As part of the Water Trail initiative, we have placed signs at all 84 access points,” says Jerdee. “There are signs at the water’s edge so people know where to exit (the Water Trail). There are kiosks at all trailheads and access points that provide information about the trail, its management, safety and the community.”

In addition to its physical assets, Paddle Antrim has also developed its digital infrastructure to support and inform paddlers.

“We’ve developed a comprehensive website,” says Jerdee, pointing to paddleantrim.com. “When I go somewhere I’ve never been before, I try to find information about the destination so I can plan ahead.”

Jerdee also points out that Paddle Antrim has developed waterproof maps of the Water Trail that paddlers can take with them, as well as a digital map within the Avenza Maps application that paddlers can download for free (with an internet connection beforehand) and that works even without cell reception.

3. Redesign of Elk Rapids Rotary Park

In another ambitious project for Paddle Antrim, the organization was involved in the redesign of Rotary Park in Elk Rapids to make it more paddle sports friendly.

“In coordination with the village, we helped them plan and raise $1 million for some major improvements at Rotary Park,” says Jerdee. From redesigning the parking lot to create more space for trailers to installing a universal access ramp to adding a much-needed, fully equipped ADA restroom, the Rotary Park redesign is all about promoting waterway access.

The redesign will also consider protecting against invasive species by incorporating a permanent, non-motorized wash station (the first of its kind in the state of Michigan, Jerdee adds) to clean kayaks, boats and paddleboards between waterways. “We’re building the first wash station on the Chain of Lakes,” Jerdee says. “It really underscores our desire for people to ‘clean, drain, dry’ and protect our waterways.”

Construction on the park is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed in November. A grand opening ceremony is planned for summer 2025.

4th Paddle Antrim Festival

Next on the list of highlights is the Paddle Antrim Festival, the 9th edition of which is scheduled for September 12-14 this year. The event will focus on a two-day non-competitive paddle on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, the 42-mile float winding its way from Ellsworth to Elk Rapids and ending with a closing ceremony at Short’s Pole Barn.

In addition to promoting walking and paddling, Jerdee points to the benefits and business the festival brings to Antrim and beyond. “The majority of people come from outside the region,” says Jerdee, “so it’s definitely an economic boon to the region. About 70-80 percent come from outside the region and from several states.”

The festival hosts events on the first day in Bellaire (Bellaire Block Party) and the second day in Elk Rapids (Final Bash) that are open to the public and invite the community to join in the festivities. “While the paddlers are focused on the water,” says Jerdee, “there’s a community spirit throughout the weekend.”

5. Community Paddle Series

The Paddle Antrim Festival isn’t the only opportunity to splash in the water with a group of paddlers. During the summer months, Paddle Antrim hosts several community paddle meetups that take place throughout the Chain of Lakes area.

“About every two weeks we host community paddle trips,” says Jerdee. “These are one-hour paddle trips at various locations along the Water Trail.”

The Community Paddles are open to all ages and paddle boat types and are a great opportunity to explore different sections of the Water Trail and paddle around with friends.
Participants must bring their own watercraft and personal flotation device and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Dates and times for the Community Paddle will be posted on the events calendar on the Paddle Antrim website and Facebook page.

6. Paddling safety

Safety and proper preparation are essential for any paddling (or water) sport, which is why Paddle Antrim offers paddling lessons. “I knew early on that safety was important,” says Jerdee. “I’ve been paddling for 20 years but never took a lesson and it was like ‘Ohhh!’ I’ve learned so many things,” she laughs.

Paddle Antrim recognised that there was a lack of paddling safety courses in the area, so they launched their own courses, led by certified instructors. They offer classes tailored to different ability levels, from the basics of kayaking and paddling to more advanced swimming and paddling techniques. And although group courses have ended for 2024, those interested can contact the team at Paddle Antrim for a one-on-one course.

7. MI Paddle Steward Program

In addition to encouraging participation in the waterways, Paddle Antrim places emphasis on promoting stewardship of these pristine resources. The nonprofit is part of the MI Paddle Steward Program – a coalition of likeminded organizations and local paddlers that relies on volunteers to identify and report aquatic invasive species.

“It’s very important for us to educate paddlers on what to look for and how to report it,” Jerdee says. “Paddlers are on the water, they see things, they’re close to the water, they’re going to see invasive species and things that don’t look right in front of motorized boaters or other people.”

Proactive paddlers can join the program to learn identification and receive navigation instructions on the Midwestern Invasive Species Information Network app to assist in reporting invasive species and help preserve Northern Michigan waterways for future generations.

8. Ripple Effect Mini Grant Program

Since its inception, Paddle Antrim has focused on the mission of protecting waterways and considering all the ways the organization can make a difference. “We’re a very small organization with a pretty big mission, so we asked ourselves how can we make sure we’re making a difference, a bigger one at that,” says Jerdee.

The solution was to provide financial support to projects that were consistent with Paddle Antrim’s waterway conservation goals.

Funded by a portion of the proceeds from events like the Paddle Antrim Festival, the Ripple Effect mini-grants are modest but meaningful cash prizes (typically between $500 and $3,000). Since 2015, Paddle Antrim has awarded over $35,000 in mini-grants for conservation and preservation efforts, according to Jerdee.

The projects and recipients of these grants have taken many different forms over the years. “We’ve helped Bellaire make some improvements to a dock in Richardi Park,” says Jerdee. “We’ve helped our lake associations buy equipment to test water quality. We’ve donated money to the Boardman Cleansweep to do some cleanups along the chain. So it’s just a variety of different projects that all align with our mission.”

Organizations interested in applying for a mini-grants can do so online at paddleantrim.com/ripple-effect-mini-grants.

9. Volunteer base

Paddle Antrim has undertaken some ambitious projects, but the organisation itself is modestly staffed with just two full-time staff, including Jerdee. “We are a small organisation,” she stresses. “We couldn’t achieve all these successes without our volunteers.”

From major events like the Paddle Antrim Festival to other public offerings, Jerdee and Paddle Antrim rely on the generous support and volunteerism of the community.

“We have well over 100 volunteers who contribute over 1,000 hours each year to our work,” she says. Whether they’re helping with maintaining the Water Trail or teaching, Jerdee notes that the volunteers are a true driving force. “There are a lot of people who support us with their time and help us make these things happen that we couldn’t do without.”

10. Paddlers like you

In addition to voluntary support, financial contributions from individuals, organizations and donors make Paddle Antrim’s work possible.

“Those who help us fund our work make our work possible,” says Jerdee. From individuals to organizations and foundations, Jerdee expresses her gratitude and the gratitude of the organizations for their past and ongoing support. “Without our generous support, we could not do our work.”

Find out more about Paddle Antrim and the upcoming festival at paddleantrim.com.