So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever… — James M. Barrie
Not long ago, Sugar Loaf appeared to all observers to be lost, never to be near the heart of our community again. After 25 years of wondering and worrying, this Northern Michigan icon is rising from oblivion to hope. It seems that even a sentiment about Barrie’s Never Never Land does not seem too far-fetched a metaphor.
This opportunity exists because of an extraordinary conversation that began with a simple phone call. Having acquired the once-proud mountain resort, the current owner quietly undertook cleaning up the abandoned infrastructure and readied Sugar Loaf for happier possibilities. When the owner decided it was time, the phone call was made. Not to a real estate agent. Not to a developer. But to the Conservancy.
The landowner didn’t want attention or credit. They simply wanted to do right by the land and the people who have loved it for generations. We were invited to imagine what Sugar Loaf could become—not as a resort again, but as a place for everyone. A place that reflects what makes Leelanau so special: its natural beauty, its peace, its sense of belonging.
Through months of thoughtful study and creative dreaming, we crafted a plan—a vision that would open up Sugar Loaf to the public while honoring its wild spirit. Trails that wind through forest and meadow, leading to a summit overlook. A gathering space for families. A winter wonderland with skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing. All of it free and accessible. All of it rooted in care for the land.
When we shared this plan with the landowner, we were told something extraordinary: If we could raise the $8 million needed to bring it to life, Sugar Loaf would be gifted to the Leelanau Conservancy.
That generosity still takes my breath away. It speaks to something deeper about what conservation really means—it’s not about who gets the credit, but what gets protected for all of us.
Thanks to a small circle of generous early donors, we are within $1.5 million of that goal.
If you’ve ever looked out from the top of Sugar Loaf or dreamed of sharing that view with your children or grandchildren, you know why this matters. These places—the ones that hold our memories—don’t come back often. This one has a chance.
With your help, we can make sure Sugar Loaf isn’t lost to time or to private gates. We can make it a place that belongs to all of us, forever.
With gratitude,
Tom Nelson
Executive Director, Leelanau Conservancy
