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 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!

4 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.

Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

MTGA is a non-profit organization that shall foster and facilitate the creation of an interconnected statewide system of trails and greenways for recreation, health, transportation, economic development and environmental/cultural preservation purposes.