The Leelanau Conservancy announced in a press release today the successful transfer of ownership of Sugar Loaf, marking a major milestone in the community-led effort to permanently protect this beloved landscape. Plans for Sugar Loaf include a thoughtfully designed trail network for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country and backcountry skiing, along with universal access features, including a trail for visitors with restricted mobility. Plans also include a summit pavilion with sweeping scenic views, family friendly features like a sledding hill and nature play area, and ecological restoration efforts to protect native species, reduce erosion, and improve water quality within the Good Harbor Bay Watershed. The Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation, through its subsidiary, SPV 45 LLC, purchased the 288-acre Sugar Loaf property in 2020, and then subsequently funded the significant investment required to demolish the hotel, remediate the blighted property, and plan for its future.