Half Mile of M-119 Frontage Preserved
The
scenic values of a familiar stretch of M-119 known as Wasson Grade have
been permanently protected through a conservation easement. Landowners
Rob and Vee Mossburg, along with their daughters Kelly and Kristy, donated
the conservation easement to protect a half mile stretch that runs along
M-119. The Mossburgs are the owners of The Cottage Company, based out
of Harbor Springs.
Wasson Grade is the first long sloping downhill that brings travelers close to the water as they begin the northward shoreline route up M-119 toward Good Hart. "Our family is honored to play a small role in protecting the beauty of this corridor," noted Rob Mossburg. He also mentioned that shortly after making their conservation easement donation, they received an anonymous gift and note that said, "thank you from all the bikers who have—and forever will—enjoy the tunnel of trees."
In addition to protecting scenic values, the easement will protect a beech-maple-basswood hardwood forest that lines the roadway. As this story is being written, the single-family land is dotted with the blooms of trillium and other northern Michigan wildflowers. The land had the potential to be developed into 22 lots, including five with Lake Michigan views. By not developing these into home sites, the pressure to trim trees on the water side of M-119 was also removed, effectively helping to protect both sides of the road.
We, and all who love the treasure of this scenic route, thank the Mossburgs for their generous donation.