The Beaver Pond Trail is part of the 500-acre County Parkland known as the Natural Education Reserve. It is managed by the Grand Traverse Conservation District. The Beaver Pond Trail begins on Cass Road near the Boardman Dam, just before crossing over the one-lane bridge on Cass Road. The trail goes down a slope through a thin wooded area of Sugar Maples to a set of stairs that lead to the wetlands. A wide boardwalk with railings traverses the wetlands, giving a wonderful view of Sabin Pond and a beaver lodge along the way. After leaving the boardwalk, a left turn begins a loop trail. At this point, caution is recommended, as there is poison ivy on both sides of the trail. A foot bridge crosses a creek and another boardwalk continues along the cattails and shrubs. Native species include Red Osier Dogwood, Willow, Ninebark, Boneset, and Horsetail. After leaving the wetlands, the boardwalk ends, and the trail continues through a mixed hardwoods forest, coming to another footbridge across a babbling brook. After crossing the bridge, the trail meanders through the woods. Native trees in this area include Sugar Maple, White Birch, White Cedar, Aspen and Bracken Fern. Several sets of stairs bring the loop trail back to the original trail. Wild columbine is abundant in this area. Turning left, the trail begins a gradual ascent through the woods and up more steps to the top of the ridge that overlooks the pond. After crossing a brief meadow, the trail enters another wooded area. Native species in this area include Juniper, Red Oak and American Beech. A scenic viewing platform on the right offers a spectacular view of Sabin Pond. A bench at the platform offers a place to rest and reflect. Continuing along, stairs lead straight down to the wetlands, where a boardwalk curves around the pond. In this area are Hemlocks, Jack-in-the-Pulpits, Yellow Birch, cattails, and Elderberry. As the trail begins to leave the wetlands, a long stairway leads back up through mixed hardwoods to the top of the ridge. At the top of the stairs, a sharp left will follow the trail through shrubs and an open area, culminating at the Meadow Pavilion, just south of the TCAPS bus garage on Cass Road. Several picnic tables are nestled under the covered pavilion for a rest and snack. A short trail to the south of the pavilion connects back to the original trail. The Beaver Pond Trail is about .7 mile long, one-way.



