Great Headwaters Trails Foundation Recognizes Debbie Magee with Volunteer of the Year Award
Great Headwaters Trails Foundation recognizes Debbie Magee with Volunteer of the Year Award – Trail Organization Working on Multiple 2026 Projects
By Gary Ridderbuscch
The Great Headwaters Trails Foundation (GHTF) recognized its Volunteer of the Year, named two new board members and updated volunteers on 2026 projects at the organization’s annual board dinner at Trees For Tomorrow in Eagle River last Tuesday.
Laura Van Valkenberg, president of GHTF, reitereated to about 30 people attending the dinner that the goal of the organization is to connect eastern Vilas County communities with 40 miles of family-friendly trails by 2030.
“From the beginning, our mission has been clear and enduring to develop and support a safe, accessible system of community bicycling and walking trails that serve both residents and visitors,” said Van Valkenberg. “That mission remains unchanged today. At the same time, we recognize that fully connecting all eastern Vilas County communities by the end of the decade will take longer than originally envisioned. While timelines may shift, our commitment does not. We are not deterred. We adapt, we plan and we move forward.”
Van Valkenberg said GHTF has made tremendous progress since the oranization was founded in 2010, thanks to the dedication of volunteers, partners and supporters. She said one of those volunteers is Debbie Magee, who was presented with GHTF’s second Volunteer of the Year Award. Magee, who was presented a plaque and bicycle helmet, has been a dedicated GTHF volunteer for nearly 14 years, beginning shortly after she retired and moved full-time to Eagle River in 2012.
“A true people person with a love of bicycling, Debbie was drawn to GHTF as a way to stay connected with others and support trails that bring the community together,” said Van Valkenberg. “After retiring from a long and fulfilling career as an educator and then a school counselor, Debbie quickly found her place with GHTF. She has since served as our donor relations director, coordinated raffle drawings for our two major fundraising events, the SepTimber Ride and Ride with Leinie, and is always willing to step in wherever help is needed. Debbie is a tireless advocate for GHTF and its mission.”
Van Valkenberg said GHTF utilized more than 90 volunteers during its 2025 activities and events, but more are always needed.
“There are many ways to support GHTF, and one of the most meaningful is by sharing your time and talents,” she said. “Whether you enjoy meeting people, working outdoors or contributing behind the scenes, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you.”
Van Valkenberg said the list includes: GHTF Ambassador by staffing a booth at the Eagle River Farmers’ Market and community events; join the GHTF Adopt-a-Highway crew; spring installation and fall removal of the Eagle River Connector trail bollards near downtown Eagle River; join the GHTF Sustainable Funding Team; volunteer at Ride with Leinie and SepTimber Ride; or help with spring trail cleanup as part of the Friends of the Conover-Phelps Trail.
“You can also bring your skills and experience to one our our action teams, including Marketing, Public Relations, Volunteer Engagement, River Trail and Conover-Phelps Trail,” said Van Valkenberg.
Two New Board Members:
Heidi Reiter Kramsvogel and Chris Stark were introduced as two new board members, each beginning a three-year term (2026-’28) in October of 2025. Reiter Kramsvogel joined the board as a director at large and Stark was appointed secretary.
Reiter Kramsvogel is the market manager at Incredible Bank in Eagle River where she leads strategic growth, customer engagement and operational excellence. Since relocating to Eagle River in 2015, she enjoys hunting, hiking, trail running, 4-wheeling, boating and community involvement.
Stark retired in 2025 after a 13-year career with the University of Wisconsin Extension, where he focused on rural broadband, workforce development and economic development in northern Wisconsin. He is an avid bicyclist, kayaker and cross-country skier.
In 2025, GHTF bid farewll to longtime volunteer Michael Robillard, who retired after nearly two decades as project manager of Tara Lila, LLC. Robbilard has been part of GHTF since its earliest days, serving on the board, taking several terms as secretary, and most recently as River Trail Project Team Leader.
“Mike’s steady leadership, tireless dedication and collaborative spirit have left a lasting mark on the trails that connect and strengthen our North Woods communities,” said Van Valkenberg.
Following Robbilard’s retirement, Mike Maierle has assumed the role of River Trail Project Team Leader.
“A retired civil engineer, Mike Maierle brings valuable technical expertise and a strong commitment to advancing the River Trail Project,” sad Van Valkenberg.
2026 Projects
The proposed 10-mile River Trail continues as a GHTF’s priority project in 2026. It will connect the city of Eagle River and the popular Three Eagle Trail to the town of St. Germain, creating a link between eastern Vilas County (and Three Lakes) and the nationally-recognized 55-plus-mile Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail System.
“When completed, the River Trail will significantly expand regional connectivity for residents and visitors while enhancing safe, family-friendly recreation,” said Van Valkenberg.
For this project, GHTF serves as an agent for the River Trail Commission, a multi-governmental entity established to develop the non-motorized bicycle and pedestrian trail between Eagle River and St. Germain. The commission is comprised of representatives from the city of Eagle River and towns of Cloverland and St. Germain.
In collaboration with the town of Cloverland, GHTF submitted a Wisconsin DOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application in the fall of 2025. The application seeks funding a 2-mile segment of trail from Old Highway 70 to Wilderness Trail.
“The TAP program provides federal reimbursement funding for local non-motorized transportation projects, including recreational trails and safe routes to school and requires a minimum 20% local match,” said Van Valkenberg.
If the town of Cloverland is awarded the TAP grant this spring, GHTF has committed to providing the required local match of approximately $324,000 along with an additional $170,000 for engineering and design services.
The safe Highway 45 crossing near the Railroad Depot and Riverview Park is also moving forward. GHTF supported the Eagle River Revitalization Program (ERRP) by contributing $25,000 toward engineering design for the bicycling, pedestrian and snowmobile crossing. ERRP successfully secured a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and construction could be completed in 2026.
“This improvement is a key component of the future River Trail, enanbling a safe bicycle and pedestrian connection between the Three Eagle Trail, downtown Eagle River and the River Trail corridor,” said Van Valkenberg.
Another GHTF project in 2026, in conjunction with the town of Conover and Vilas County, is working on a paved, non-motorized bicycle and pedestrian trail that will extend the existing Conover-Phelps Trail south approximately 2 miles to county-owned Torch Lake Campgound and RV Park.
In the fall of 2025, GHTF contracted with an engineering firm to complete the initial 30% design phase of the project.
“This important step will establish the preliminary alignment, cost estimates and design framework needed to advance the project toward construction,” said Van Valkenberg, who said completion of the design is anticipated by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Van Valkenberg noted that several of the GHTF projects also are utilizing UW-Platteville engeering students, who are assisting with the trail designs as a part of their course work.
Major Fundraisers
Van Valkenberg reported that the 2025 Ride with Leinie on the Conover-Phelps Trail attracted 501 riders and raised more than $27,000 for GHTF. From the proceeds, GHTF gave $5,000, split equally, to the towns of Conover and Phelps for their Conover-Phelps Trail maintenence funds, $15,000 was set aside for the Conover-Phelps Trail Torch Lake Extension project and $7,000 was placed in the GHTF general unrestricted fund.
The 2025 SepTimber Ride on the Three Eagle Trail drew 380 riders for the fall ride between Tribute Brewing Company and Three Lakes Winery. The event, co-hosted with the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, raised nearly $12,000 for GHTF.
Van Valkenberg noted that the two fundraising events were supported by 45 area businesses.
In 2026, the 15th annual Ride with Leinie is set for July 25th in Conover and the 12th annual SepTimber Ride is scheduled for September 12th in Eagle River. Both events offer short and long bike rides, with both trail and road routes. For details or to register for these two fundraising rides, visit the ghtrails.org “Events” tab.
Van Valkenberg said the work of GHTF volunteers and supporters is clear.
“Economic impact studies completed in 2025 demonstrated that bike and pedestrian trails play a significant role in strenghtening our local economy,” she said.
The 2025 study revealed the Heart of Vilas Bike Trail System generates an estimated $25.7 million annually for the regional economy. Similarly, the Three Eagle Trail contributes approximately $2 million each summer to the economies of Eagle River and Three Lakes.
“Beyond the numbers, these trails enhance quality of life, support local businesses and help define Vilas County as both a premier destination to visit and a wonderful place to call home,” said Van Valenkberg. “We remain firmly convinced that connecting our area communities through a network of famlly-friendly, off-road bicycling and walking trails from Eagle River to St. Germain, Phelps to Manitowish Waters and beyond will continue to be a powerful economic driver and an invaluable source of healthy recreation.”
For more information about GHTF or to get involved in the organization’s work, visit ghtrails.org.