Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail

All 3 Counties Give the Go-Ahead to the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail!!!

October 13, 2005 marked Shiawassee County’s final adoption of a resolution to proceed with the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail Project. With this third county decision, trail advocates felt they finally reached the end of a long journey started in 1999 to convert the abandoned Central Michigan Railroad corridor into a multi-use trail for recreation and nonmotorized transportation. In reality, it is only the beginning since there are many hurdles to go before the trail can become reality. Property deeds analysis, price negotiation, fundraising, trail design, decisions on trail operation, are all items that will need to be taken into consideration. “But for now, commented Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, “the Friends of the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail can celebrate the fact that this will now be a project officially pursued by the counties.”

Next Steps

The next step for the trail project will be for the 3 counties to come together to finalize how a $1.125 million grant from the Meijer Foundation will be spent on the trail and to begin to work on a formal trail commission agreement for future operation and maintenance of the trail.

The Tri-County Trail Study Committee

For the past year, it was the Tri-County Trail Study Committee, comprised of 3 representatives each from Clinton, Ionia, and Shiawassee counties who scrutinized the issues related to trail acquisition, development, maintenance, and operation. Since their appointment in October, 2004, they toured the corridor, listened to experts from across the state answer their concerns, and ended their deliberations with a vote this past May, recommending that each of the counties pursue the trail project. Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance thanks each and every committee member who diligently attended meetings and carefully considered all the issues before making their recommendations.

1 On August 10th, 2008, c. brehmer said:

when will this project get started? It’s been 3yrs since the resolution to proceed with this trail. going on 10yrs overall. it would be nice to see some more progress. other projects are moving ahead much faster than this one, it’s like this trail has been forgotten.
Our community needs this.

2 On October 11th, 2008, Neal Marrison said:

I agree. Look at what St. Johns Historical is doing with their train cars and memorabilia in preparation of this trail. Also with the economy the way it is more families are looking for recreational opportunities closer to home. I’m afraid if things don’t move faster this project will be lost due some unforeseen gov’t. intervention.

3 On February 9th, 2009, Carrie Stewart said:

Apparantly, regulations, operation, and maintenance is still the issue between the 3 counties. Based on Roger Thelen’s outline, a major foundation had offered to pay up to 75% of initial development, and maintenance costs are accomplished through volunteer efforts & fund raising. Has development even started yet? Wouldn’t this get the ball rolling for others to join the volunteering to help part?

4 On February 9th, 2009, Rebecca Stimson said:

What are the Next Steps for the project? Is there a citizens group that volunteers can get involved with?

5 On February 10th, 2009, nancy said:

There is a master planning process kicking off this week. This will help the communities decide exactly what they want the trail to look like and what types of use it will receive. There will be plenty of opportunity for public input along the way. Hopefully, once the master plan is done, the three counties will coordinate together on its development and we can get this trail on the ground!

6 On February 10th, 2009, nancy said:

Yes, there is a Friends of the Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail and they have a website: http://www.cistrail.org. The Friends group board of directors meets monthly and they welcome your participation! They are currently organizing the first volunteer clean-up effort on the trail – stay tuned for more details.

7 On July 23rd, 2009, Ralph said:

It appears to me, that after 3-4 years or maybe 10 years of doing nothing, it is time to scrap the parties in charge with some replacements who will get off their dead …. and get this project on track. No pund intended. LET GET THIS GOING. SOON.

8 On July 26th, 2009, Lucas said:

I think it is a good thing that they going to turn it into a trail. What I do not like s the modifying of the bridges. The three that I am thinking of would be the old trestle over the ditch near pewamo, and the bridges over Stony Creek and the Maple River near muir. The three bridges are over 150 years old. They are a part of the history of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. Just put up warning signs “Cross at your own risk”

9 On July 27th, 2009, Keith Browne said:

I checked out the trail that runs from Owosso to Ionia today. After not finding any place like a trailhead to park my car, I ended up parking about a mile down the road at the Michigan Works office. Traveling west from Owosso, the trail was decent. Your normal two track with more ATV tracks then foot prints or bike tracks. Definitely no maintenance has ever been done. It was like that all the way to Ovid, about 10 miles. There was where it got interesting. There was a trailer that was parked right across the trail. They were doing some construction at the MMPA factory. (if you don’t think your milk comes from a factory, think again) After going around the trailer and climbing through the woods, I picked up the two track again. About 2 miles west if Ovid, the trail had stuff growing on it. By the time I got about 5 miles west of Ovid, the trail was impassable. I was afraid I was going to screw up my bike in that mess. I just bailed and took the highway back to Ovid.
Someone needs to get out there with a brush hog.

10 On August 6th, 2009, nancy said:

The project is moving forward, despite the lack of seeing anything visible happen on the corridor. Right now, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is putting together a draft master plan for the trailway – i.e., what the surface will be, what amenities will be included and where, such as parking lots, overlooks, kiosks, etc. In September the representatives from each county together with the DNR will review the master plan, make any changes necessary, and then the counties can begin to put together applications for funding for development of the trail. Meanwhile, the trail is really not open to the public. There are bridges without decking and many spots where the corridor is blocked with vegetation. It is not meant for public passage at this time. Thank you for your patience.

11 On August 6th, 2009, nancy said:

Please contact the Friends of the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail by e-mailing Roger Thelen at thelenr@pilot.msu.edu. He will be glad to let you know of any future clean-ups or other activities to assist on this trail. Thank you for your interest!

12 On August 6th, 2009, nancy said:

The reason you had such difficulty is that the trail is not open to the public yet, even though it is owned by the state. The Michigan DNR is currently putting together a master plan for development of the trail. The landscape architects are out in the field determining what the surface should be, where parking lots should be, kiosks, overlooks for the river, etc, and other details. The Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from the 3 counties and the DNR along with the National Park Service Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance, will review the draft in September, 2009 and plans for seeking development funding will progress from there. I know – we at MTGA are getting anxious too, that this trail we have been advocating for and helping with since 1998 is finally open to the public! Feel free to ask anytime you want a status report on the progress.

13 On August 14th, 2009, Bob Flynn said:

The only way I will ever get to ride this trail is if my funeral procession drives down it on the way to the cemetery .

14 On September 7th, 2009, Roger said:

Just checked this trail out Sept 5 09 by driving across at mutiple Rd crossings. It obviously has not had any upkeep. It appears to be impassable from Smith rd to the east, overgrown. Plan on riding this to the west to see what condition and how far it is passible. (appearently that would be ovid from an earlier post)I ride MNTB at Island lake, Holdridge, & Bald mountain currently. We need a trail system in shiawassee county badly. I am willing to help out in any way with this trail just ask. I will now continue to check this page for updates. Wow, this has been a long time in the making…..

15 On September 8th, 2009, nancy said:

The eastern endpoint of the trail is at Smith Road. The section east of there was not for sale. The friends group had one cleanup on the trail to keep it open. But since it is not really open to the public, they have not scheduled any more for now. Thanks for your interest and yes, stay tuned to this page for updates.

16 On September 8th, 2009, nancy said:

The master plan is being drafted by the DNR pursuant to their field work to assess conditions along the trail. The Steering Committee will meet soon to review the draft. The first opportunity for funding will come with the Natural REsources Trust Fund. Those applications will be due April 1 of next year. Decisions will be made December 2010. The money would then be approved by the Legislature in 2011 and work could possibly begin in Summer of 2011. That is strictly an estimate on my part, from looking at other trail timelines. They could do some very preliminary safety actions that could open up the trail as is, but I’m not sure if DNR will do that.

17 On September 8th, 2009, nancy said:

The next step is for the Steering Committee together with the DNR to review the master plan draft and finalize it. Then the process of grantwriting for development. I would recommend joining the Friends of the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail if you want to volunteer. They can always use the help. Contact Kathy Simon, Secretary of the friends group at 989-593-3642.

18 On October 9th, 2009, Lance V. said:

I love to ride bike and I am very excited to hear of this. I think the railroad corridor that runs through Clinton Ionia and Shiawassee Counties would make a beautiful trail. However I am also very angry at the same time.

When I first heard of the possibility of a bike trail through these counties I was very excited. Soon after this first announcement I heard very little about the trail and how things were going. I kept checking their web site but it still looks the same it did a year ago. When I check it for an update on the progress of this trail I am always disappointed. Why the heck have a web site when its just going to sit their not being updated for months or years. I think most people would like to know, every once in a while, if everything fell through or if things are still on tract. A few months ago I gave up on their web sites and was about to tell all my friends and family to forget the idea of this bike trail. They get you all excited and then they don’t say sh**. I understand planning a trail takes time but update us once in a darn while.

19 On October 9th, 2009, Lance V. said:

Thank You Nancy for the updates. I really appreciate it. It helps to know whats going on.

20 On July 2nd, 2010, Keith Nelson said:

I rode the annual Detroit Free Press Michigander rail trail ride the first 14 years of its existence, from 1990 to 2004 until I moved out of state for six years. I saw the impact of trails including the Kal-Haven, White Pines, Peer-Marquette, Paint Creek, Lakeland, and many others in this state. I am now living in St. Johns and enjoying the Fred Meijer Trail and others and will be rejoining efforts to support the excellent Michigan rail trails and the premier off-road bike tour in the world — the Michigander. How can I help?

21 On October 11th, 2010, Bob Flynn said:

Fun ride !

22 On December 3rd, 2010, Jim Schultheiss said:

I am so amazed that this is taking so long to get started. I’ve ridden trails all over the state and saw the economic impact on the adjoining villages. It’s so nice to take beginners on those trails and not worry about their safety. i hope this gets up and running before I’m too old to enjoy it. I’ve got lots of friends ready to get this trail ready. So lets go!

23 On December 20th, 2010, nancy said:

I think you will see the first grant for development get filed this spring, for construction in 2012. Yes, it has been a long time, and it will still be another year or so, but a little more patience. We are getting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

24 On March 6th, 2011, Pat Stevens said:

I have walked on the Ionia trail & want to know why Clinton Co. is so slow! I didn’t realize the trail even had a name until I seen Trails meeting to be held in the County News. Now that I have read comments left & see 2005 (6 years ago)& it’s now 2011 I shake my head. Its no wonder people don’t stay is this area. So if money was given for this project where is it? I am so very disappointed with all of this. Well I will be driving out of town just to take a walk as soon as Ionia opens their trail again this year.

25 On March 7th, 2011, nancy said:

The master plan for the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail is almost finished. There will be a grant application submitted soon to the Natural Resources Trust Fund. If you would like to find out the details, you can come to the Annual meeting of the Friends of the Fred Meijer Clinton Ionia Shiawassee Trail on Wednesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. at Smith Hall in St. Johns. The Michigan DNR will give a presentation.

26 On May 9th, 2011, Bob Flynn said:

Any updates ?

27 On May 13th, 2011, nancy said:

The friends group is in the process of seeking grant dollars that will be used to match public grants from the Natural Resources Trust Fund and the federal transportation enhancement grant program. The master plan is done, the Midwest Trail Authority is getting situated into their new roles along with the trail communities and the friends group. MTGA is very happy that progress is happening on this trail!

28 On May 15th, 2011, Bob Flynn said:

Thanks Nancy !

29 On July 3rd, 2011, Bob Flynn said:

Does the new law on volunteering mean we can trim back the CIS trail ?

30 On October 31st, 2011, Bob Flynn said:

Rode the trail yesterday (10-30-11 ) from Owosso to Ovid and back and it is in excellent condition . Some body has done a lot of work clearing it especially the last two miles into Ovid . This is going to be a nice trail when it finally gets done .

31 On December 24th, 2011, Larry Miller said:

I live about 3 blocks south of the FUTURE (remember it is still in the early establishing phase) trail. Although it is not offically open to the public the stretch from shepardsville road east to smith rosd through Ovid is well developed and a very nice ride and is being used by walkers (some with dogs) bikers, horse-back riders, atv`s golf carters and others, all enjoying the trail`s natural surroundings. This section is being maintained with the help of local people. Be patient! Its looking good.

32 On January 1st, 2012, Bob Flynn said:

Did the new years day ride and the trail is in good shape , just have to avoid a few mud puddles here and there .

33 On January 3rd, 2012, Bob Flynn said:

What are the surveying poles on the trail for ? I hope it is the sign of things to come .

34 On January 9th, 2012, Bob Flynn said:

Did another ride 1-8-12 and the trail is in very good shape . This is a good place to ride when the mountain bikes trails are muddy . Was able to get in 26 miles to Ovid and back to Owosso . Is the section past Smith road part of the trail ?