Deborah Prescott | Daily Press Delta Animal Shelter Executive Director Susan Gartland, with scissors, cuts a ribbon to officially open the new Delta Animal Shelter Dog Walking Trail Thursday evening. Staff, volunteers, Ambassadors of Delta County, and dogs with their owners celebrate the new trail with bucket raffles, treats and photo opportunities along the trail.

ESCANABA — The Delta Animal Shelter held a grand opening for its new dog walking trail. Before the event, staff, volunteers, Ambassadors of Delta County, and dogs with their humans took part in a ribbon cutting to officially open the walk Thursday evening.

After the ribbon cutting, many walked the trail that meanders behind the shelter facilities. Tanya Gartland took photos of pet owners with their dogs at a resting point on the trail.

At the end of the trail vendors, bucket raffles, treats, and refreshments were available for the walkers to enjoy.

According to shelter Executive Director Susan Gartland, the shelter sits on approximately nine acres of wooded land off County Road 426 across from the Verso paper mill.

“The shelter sits on about nine acres of beautiful wooded land with a gentle creek running through and abundant wildlife,” said Gartland.

Active member of the shelter, Ken Gartland, thought of an idea to create a dog trail on the property. He later became a leader of the project and brought it to fruition. Over the course of two years, several boy and girl scout troops helped clean the land, along with local businesses. Funding was privately donated to the shelter for the trail development. There are plans for a phase two of the trail in the future.

“Several boy and girl scout troops helped … With help from K&K Logging, Jamie Degrand from Degrand Construction, a grant from the Community Foundation U.P. Sustainable Forest fund, and Delta Fence, we were able to get the trail developed,” said Gartland.

Gartland, staff and volunteers used the COVID-19 shutdown to finish the trail.

“We utilized the time and really put in a lot of sweat and hours … to put the plan in action many volunteers and members helped clean and clear the trail,” Gartland said. “It is just beautiful.”

The trailhead is located by the front door of the building and winds through the woods approximately one mile. Along the trail there are resting spots, a swim hole, and a memorial wind chime garden at the end to honor the lives of lost pets.

“There is something so peaceful and calming about both being with a dog, as well as spending time in nature,” Gartland noted. “We hope the public can enjoy this trail.”

The Delta Animal Shelter looks at ways to give back to a community that continues to support the shelter’s mission to help animals in Delta County.

“Developing our land for public use was one of our goals to thank the community,” said Gartland. “We are very proud to open this trail.”

Gartland said the community really believes in the young shelter’s mission to save all animals and are there to help any time the shelter asks.

The public is able to walk the trail free of charge between dawn and dusk. All dogs must be on a leash at all times. Excrement bags are provided to remove any dog waste along the trail.

“We welcome the public to come and enjoy this trail whether they have a dog or not. Shelter dogs can be taken for a walk. They absolutely love walking the loop,” said Gartland. “An exercised dog is a happy dog.”

The Delta Animal Shelter is located at 6975 County 426 M.5 Rd., Escanaba. For information on becoming more involved with the Delta Animal Shelter, email deltaanimals@yahoo.com, or call 906-789-0230.

“We have an active annual membership to help improve programs, fundraise and advocate for the animals of Delta County,” said Gartland.

The shelter is a no kill shelter that takes in all animals and cares for them until they are satisfied the animal has found a forever home.