DeYoung Natural Area

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The Leelanau Conservancy purchased this historic farmstead with nearly a mile of frontage on Cedar Lake in May, 2006. The 145-acre Louis DeYoung farm is just minutes from Traverse City, with frontage on both sides of Cherry Bend Road. Although the Conservancy officially owns this land, it is actively fundraising to pay off loans on this $2 million project.

The TART trail runs through a portion of the land on the lake side. Plans for the ultimate use of the property are still in the works, but current owners and the Leelanau Conservancy envision it free of development and a place where the public can come to recreate, enjoy nature and possibly learn about community supported agriculture. There is a quarter-mile trail that winds through mature cedars near the shore of Cedar Lake. It leads down to a fishing and wildlife observation pier on the lake.

The 145 acres sits in the middle of a rapidly developing residential area. “The DeYoung family turned away many offers from developers and sacrificed financially by offering this property to the Conservancy because they care tremendously about seeing it remain as it is today,” said Matt Heiman, a land protection specialist with the Leelanau Conservancy who has worked with the family for the last 4 years. “Under some scenarios, the property could have supported as many as 100 homes.” From the property’s highest vantage points there are views of west and east Grand Traverse Bay.