Maple Bay Farm Site Information and History Page 1 of 6 Maple Bay ...

Maple Bay Farm Site Information and History 

Maple Bay Farm Planning Process 

The staff of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) implemented an 18-month data 

gathering and planning process timeframe to evaluate the potential for future opportunities and 

partnerships at Maple Bay Farm, an 11 acre parcel located along North US 31 in Acme Township (GT 

County, Section 7, T28N, R9W). The decision making criteria developed by GTRLC staff and board 

include the GTRLC’s goals and needs related to outreach, financial and organizational sustainability, and 

goals and needs related to land management practices. 

Based on the criteria, GTRLC invites proposals from organizations and individuals. An Ad Hoc Maple 

Bay Farm Leadership Committee of board and staff members will then review partnership proposals. The 

anticipated timeline for implementation and partnership decisions will be by the spring of 2013. 

Since we acquired the property in 2002, we recognize that some community members and stakeholders 

have approached the GTRLC to share their ideas for potential programs and partnerships that they would 

like to see implemented at Maple Bay Farm. This GTRLC led planning process will provide a framework 

to evaluate and pursue possible activities at Maple Bay Farm. 

Figure 1 –US 31 North Corridor Map 

Page 1 of 6


Maple Bay Farm and the Maple Bay Natural Area Overview 

The entire Maple Bay Conservation project features 2,583 feet of sand and cobble beach on Grand 

Traverse East Bay, rare and threatened species, coastal wetlands, open and forested dunes, and farm land. 

The Maple Bay Farm and the Grand Traverse County Maple Bay Park and Natural Area embodies the 

essence of northern Michigan and the spirit of the Conservancy’s mission: to protect significant natural, 

scenic, and farmlands, and advance stewardship, now and for all future generations. 

Although the Maple Bay conservation site is a microcosm on its own, it is even more significant in the 

context of the landscape on which it sits. It stretches from its pristine shoreline on East Grand Traverse 

Bay inland to the Petobego Marsh and is adjacent to the Petobego State Game Area. The protection of 

Maple Bay has greatly enhanced conservation of the Petobego Creek corridor and 42 acres of the former 

farm have been added to the State Game area in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural 

Resources. There are over 1200 acres of permanently protected lands within a two-mile radius, including; 

the Yuba Valley Natural Area, Petobego Creek Natural area, and two private properties protected through 

conservation agreements with GTRLC (Figure 1). 

In conjunction with the protection of the natural lands, the work that Acme Township and the GTRLC are 

doing to protect farmland in the township will result in one of the most comprehensive landscape level 

conservation efforts in the nation. The farming belt along US-31 in Grand Traverse and Antrim Counties 

are part of the west Michigan fruit belt, a keystone economic and cultural asset of our region. Maple Bay 

and Acme Township provide the anchor for preservation efforts to protect this vital resource for our 

community and the State. 

Maple Bay Farm Introduction 

The following is a report of current site information and land history to provide the reader with certain 

baseline data and facts related to the Maple Bay Farm and the Maple Bay Park and Natural Area. This 

report includes some detail about the acquisition history and funding for the entire 460 acre Maple Bay 

conservation project, the remainder of the report narrows the scope to the 11 acres owned and managed by 

the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) and includes the farmhouse and outbuildings 

located west of US-31 and identified in the map below (Figure 2). Future programs and projects that may 

be implemented on the GTRLC Maple Bay Farm property will be considerate of the greater management 

of the Maple Bay Park and Natural Area. For information about the Grand Traverse County Maple Bay 

Park and Natural Area Master Plan, see Appendix B or contact the Grand Traverse County Director of 

Parks and Recreation. 



Acquisition History 

Figure 2– Maple Bay Farm Aerial 

In 2001, the Rollert family decided to sell their spectacular 460-acre farm. Because of the uniqueness of 

Maple Bay, GTRLC acted quickly for the permanent protection of the property. Thanks to a partnership 

with the Rollert family, Grand Traverse County, and generous funding from the Michigan Natural 

Resources Trust Fund ($6,800,000), Coastal Zone Management Program ($500,000), North America 

Wetland Conservation Act ($500,000), Federal Wetland Reserve Program ($273,000), and many 

individuals and private foundations ($410,000), GTRLC was able to ensure that this unique piece of our 

landscape, which provides high quality habitat for rare and threatened species and is refuge to countless 

migratory birds, will be open for current and future generations to enjoy. Each of these grants aimed to 

preserve a specific characteristic of the property (e.g. wetlands, public access, etc.,) and sets specific 

parameters for the use of the property. 

Today, the former Maple Bay dairy farm is one of the premier conservation areas in the Grand Traverse 

region. As an outcome of the land protection efforts, 42 acres were added to the Petobego State Game 

Area, while Grand Traverse County owns the 400-acre Maple Bay Park and Natural Area and recently 

completed a master plan for the property in 2008. Recognizing that the MNRTF and other funding 



sources did not favor their grant monies to go toward the purchase of improvements that did not enhance 

the recreational opportunities of the project, the remaining 16-acre parcels, which included an old 

farmhouse, was purchased by GTRLC. 

In the summer of 2006, GTRLC undertook a $70,000 initiative to improve access to the Maple Bay Farm. 

Several old pole buildings were dismantled and were re-used by area farmers and a new driveway was 

installed. Upon completion of this project, the GTRLC conveyed 5 acres that included the new access 

drive to Grand Traverse County in the spring of 2007. 

Today, the old farmhouse and the 11 surrounding acres sit vacant until GTRLC develops a plan to use the 

buildings and the land to further our mission. 

Vegetation Overview 

Based upon General Land Office Surveys from the 1800’s, the 11 acres owned by GTRLC was originally 

part of a large Beech-Sugar Maple-Hemlock Forest complex. By the turn of the century the property had 

been converted to farmland and residential uses. As a result, a majority of the plants at the preserve are 

non-native, however, of those nonnative plants only a small percentage are considered invasive. Plants 

used for landscaping purposes are found near the house area and include introduced species of lawn grass, 

trees, shrubs, and flowers. 

Agricultural fields constitute a majority of the preserve and have historically consisted of corn, 

sunflowers, alfalfa and cool season grasses. A local farm family, who has an agreement with the County, 

farms the Maple Bay Park and Natural Area and this agreement extends to the contiguous GTRLC 

agricultural property. 

A small, perched wetland, nearly .15 acres in size, remains near the entrance of the preserve and is 

adjacent to the driveway and sunflower field. The open wetland has the highest percentage of native 

plants and is comprised of common wetland species such as cat-tail (Typha latifolia), Epilobium sp., and 

Juncus effusus and Carex vulpinoidea. The wetland is part of a larger wetland area that extends onto the 

Grand Traverse County property, which is included in a Wetland Reserve Program. Non-native invasive 

plant species found on the property include Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), Plumeless thistle 

(Carduus acanthoides), Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinaceae), and Spotted knapweed (Centaurea 

biebersteinii). 

Following an inventory of the flora, a Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) was completed. The FQA was 

developed by the Department of Natural Resources to aid in classifying the natural significance of an area 

based on its plant-life. Each plant in the state has been designated a coefficient of conservatism (C) 

ranging from 0-10, or N representing non-native flora, defining the probability that the area the plant was 

located in has remained in its natural state. A value of 10 would represent a sensitive plant that tolerates 

little to no human disturbance, indicating an unaltered, high-quality habitat, while a value of 0 would 

indicate that it is not a sensitive plant and may be found in extremely disturbed habitats. Using the C 

values and number of plants present (n) a Floristic Quality Index (FQI) is calculated. An FQI of less than 

20 demonstrates minimal natural significance, while an FQI higher than 35 demonstrates statewide 



significance, and an FQI higher than 50 represents a very rare and naturally significant area. The 

calculated FQI for the Maple Bay Farm was 7.5. 

Meadowlarks and vesper sparrows have been observed using the land. The GTRLC may consider 

investigating for other bird species that nest in the area, which could determine future restoration efforts. 

Human-Made Structures and Current Conditions 

Since the GTRLC has owned the 11 acre Maple Bay Farm property, the following work has been 

completed to maintain the grounds and structures: new septic system installed, roof patching, electric 

wiring and electric pole to accommodate outdoor events, removal of outbuildings that served the dairy 

operation, asbestos inspections and removal, lead paint inspections, new well installed, lawn maintenance, 

yard work, and tree plantings, road work, fencing installed along driveway, minimal signage, and other 

minimal repair work. Volunteers have been an important part of the recent history of the Maple Bay 

Farm. Each year dedicated volunteers mow the lawn, tend to flower gardens, and do other work to care for 

the property. 

At this time, the house at Maple Bay is in relatively poor condition due to some unfinished interior repairs, 

disuse, and an old roof that is beginning to leak. Replacement of the roof is scheduled for 2012 and 

pending fundraising efforts. The chimney, foundation mortar and the drainage around the structures were 

repaired and improved in the spring of 2012. The house’s wood siding and windows will eventually 

require significant repair or replacement. Some windows already show water damage and the siding has 

begun to rot in a few small areas. Additional work will be needed prior to use of the home, including: 

cosmetic repairs, structural improvements (replacement of the floor under the bathroom), utility upgrades 

(finish the electrical work and replace the plumbing), and safety (railings in and out). 

The pole barn on the property is in good condition with no service or structural issues recognized at this 

time. The electric garage doors in the northern bay were serviced in the fall of 2011. 

The root cellar is in good structural condition. However the ceiling vents should be covered with screens 

to reduce the risk of injury to public or entrance of animals. 

The sugar shack is in fair condition with the main structure of the building being sound. The old reducing 

chimney should be capped because rain has entered the building over the years and has harmed a portion 

of the outside paneling, which now needs repair or replacing. Reparations to the drainage and the slope 

around the building uncovered damage to the bottom of the siding. 

In 2007, a plaque was mounted on a large boulder and sits at the entrance to Maple Bay Farm to honor the 

Rollert family for their gift to the community. 

The boundary of the Maple Bay Farm has been separately surveyed from the adjacent Maple Bay Park and 

Natural Area and the corners are marked with pins. Access to GTRLC property is located off US 31 and 

via driveway that is shared with Grand Traverse County and provides access to both the County Natural 



Area and GTRLC property. The Grand Traverse County Road Commission maintains the driveway. The 

property is zoned A-1 agricultural under Acme Township’s zoning ordinance. 

Stakeholders 

There is a large community of stakeholders who are interested or have invested in the Maple Bay Farm 

and Maple Bay Park and Natural Area. Stakeholders include private donors, public and private 

foundations, volunteers, previous owners and renters of the property, local farm families and neighbors, 

educational institutions, and other local non-profit organizations. User groups interested in the future of 

the Maple Bay home include but are not limited to: Audubon, hiking groups, kite boarders, and local 

businesses who benefit from natural resource assets such as Maple Bay. This property is also of interest to 

the local units of government such as Acme Township, Elk Rapids Township, The Village of Elk Rapids, 

Antrim County, and Grand Traverse County, as well as state agencies including the MDNR Wildlife 

Division. Other community groups and agencies like Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Traverse 

City Chamber of Commerce, Traverse City Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Elk Rapids Rotary, and 

Traverse City Rotary have an interest in the future of Maple Bay Farm. 

Adjacent Property Owner Information and Management 

As noted above, the majority of the property adjacent to the GTRLC Maple Bay Farm is Maple Bay Park 

and Natural Area, owned by the Grand Traverse County. The County’s master plan for the park can be 

found in Appendix B. The adjacent property to the south of the Maple Bay Farm is the Orchard Shores 

Subdivision with about 20 residential homes. Any current and future plans or programs must take into 

consideration the non-exclusive easement grant, or golf cart easement, and nonexclusive view 

preservation easement grant (both recorded with Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds in December 

1989 and 2000, respectively). The golf cart easement allows for the Orchard Shores Subdivision Property 

Owners’ Association to maintain a trail on an existing two track. 

Appendix: 

Appendix A: Maps 

Location 

Plat 

Natural Features 

Utilities and Infrastructure 

Soils 

Topography 

Appendix B: Grand Traverse County Maple Bay Farms and Natural Area Master Plan

Maple Bay Farm Site Information and History Page 1 of 6 Maple Bay ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?