Announcing The Offield Family Viewlands
The Little Traverse Conservancy is announcing the completion of one of the most exciting community projects in its history around Little Traverse Bay, made possible by significant gifts from local foundations and donors. The protection of the 290-acre former Little Traverse Bay Golf Club property was finalized on April 22 (Earth Day) with a planned opening in late June. Grants from the Offield Family Foundation and others, along with the support of LTC’s membership, has allowed the Conservancy staff to complete this project. The property is located between Harbor Springs, Alanson, and Petoskey and a short drive from many Up North communities.
Now known as the Offield Family Viewlands Working Forest Reserve, the site is best known by people who visited it in its former life as a restaurant and golf course. It is a place that offers extraordinary views of Little Traverse Bay and the Inland Waterway. Fleming explained that the property had recently been closed as a business and purchased by a real estate investor. The Conservancy approached that investor to inquire about a sale to the Conservancy which would allow it to be protected in a permanent manner. A tight timeline for the resale made the purchase uncertain until the Offield Family Foundation gift was pledged.
