Mercer Bike Trail Expansion Update – October 2025

October 21, 2025

Mercer Bike Trail Expansion Update – October 2025

Overview:

  • ICORE initiated the Mercer bike trail expansion committee in June of 2022. This committee investigated expanding the current bike trail an additional 9 miles from Carow Park to WinMan Trails creating a 24-mile loop through Mercer, adding to the current 52 miles of bike trail already established in Iron and Vilas counties called the “Heart of Vilas” trail system which has been designated as a National Recreational Trail.
  • We applied for a DOT TAP grant feasibility study grant in 2023 which was awarded to us. Work began with Becher-Hoppe (chose engineering firm) in 2024 and was completed earlier this year.
  • We were very pleased with the results from the feasibility study which was very comprehensive and included real estate analysis, Safe Routes to School, jurisdictional reports, public outreach, utility analysis, environmental impacts/permitting, funding analysis, surveys, trail plans, and structure plans.
    • We worked through some issues with the DNR concerning routing through wetlands areas in the Northern Highlands State Forest, some snowmobiling and ATV route potential conflicts, and an issue on right-away usage for a few of the private properties that required approval by the IRON County Board. I am happy to say that we now have all of these stakeholders on board with the proposed route.
  • The resulting map and engineering report are available on the table to take a look at if you are interested.
    • The final trail route recommended was broken into 3 phases for cost, complexity, and jurisdictional control reasons.
    • Phase 1 is a stand-alone urban loop of Mercer, connecting the current trail through town to Carow Park, East on Cty Hwy J and around via Martha Lake Rd and Thompson Trail. This phase includes building the multi-use paved trail along Cty Hwy J as well as pavement marking and signage for the town roads and streets.
    • Phase 1 connects the current trail to Mercer businesses, the school, and the school forest and makes a 6.8-mile loop of Mercer.
  • Mercer Town Board unanimously supported a town resolution to sponsor the Phase 1 TAP grant application for $1.4 Million which is due by Oct. 31st
    • If awarded, the grant will cover 80% of the cost and we must raise the remaining 20% ($280,000)
    • Target construction to begin in 2028

Fundraising:

  • We held our 1st annual Mercer Bike Fest on August 2nd 2025
  • It was a huge success
    • 233 registered riders (plus kids)
    • Over 300 in attendance
    • 26 volunteers
    • 32 local business who sponsored/donated
    • $50,000 raised from event and associated donations
  • We also received a large $100,000 donation from an anonymous doner who donated after a review of the feasibility work
  • Current capital campaign underway to raise the final $130,000 for Phase 1 construction
  • The 2nd annual Bike Fest is planned for August 1, 2026. Registration begins January 1st