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The Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail is a non-profit organization dedicated to linking Trails in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan (Bay, Midland and Saginaw Counties). Once completed, our Regional Trail will be close to a 100-mile system that will give walkers, runners, cyclists and skaters access to some of our region's best, from green spaces to parks and recreational facilities...even waterfront views of Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay!
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During past few years our group has been actively planning the trails and seeking funding for the development and long term maintenance of the trails. The hard work had paid off. The abandoned rail line from Zilwaukee to Bay City has been purchased, grants for the rehabilitation of two bridges, the development of the Saginaw County portion of the trail and for the Bay County portion of the trail, have been sought and funded! Many local foundations have generously provided funding to our group, including:
- Bay Area Community Foundation
- Consumers Energy Foundation
- Frank N. Andersen Foundation
- Dow Corning Foundation
- Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation
- Hemlock Semiconductor
- The Kantzler Foundation
- Midland Community Foundation
- Saginaw Community Foundation
- Smith Charitable Foundation
- The Dow Chemical Company Foundation
- The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation
- Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation
- The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation
- Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network
In addition, grants for the Saginaw Township and Kochville Township have been sought and funded and the trail connection is in place, linking these two communities.
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2016 was a year of additional progress. This year commemorated the opening of the Zilwaukee to Bay City link. The ribbon cutting occurred on a beautiful autumn Saturday in October. This critical piece links the Saginaw area to the Bay City area as it runs in between the Crow Island State game area and the Saginaw River. While more local connections are still needed for the completion of this section, the majority on this piece in now in place and getting good use! Click for video
Additionally, the link from Midland to Saginaw saw some progress. A grant was funded in Midland Township and the path was completed from Overlook Park to the Bullock Creek Elementary School. This link directly connects to the Pere Marquette Rail Trail at the Tridge in the City of Midland. Midland County Road Commission has also shown support for furthering this link south down Poseyville Road and then west along Gordonville Road.
Tittabawassee Township, (Freeland), has also joined in. This community has been working on funding for a main section of their path along M-47 and now has the funding in place.
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In 2017 and the upcoming years, there is promise of additional progress:
- A current MDOT grant has conditional approval for the connection in Bay County at the trailhead at Brooks Road into the city of Bay City.
- Tittabawassee Township plans to construct their section of the regional trail from the town area to the Sports Zone.
- The Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail group will be working towards a trailhead at Kochville and Melbourne Roads and furthering the trail west along Kochville Road.
- A study will be conducted in 2017 looking at how best to link Frankenmuth, Bridgeport and the City of Saginaw up to the Kochville/ Melbourne Road link.
- Midland Township, along with the Midland County Road Commission will work towards extending the Poseyville Road Path south and west, heading towards Freeland.
This volunteer group is actively working towards their long term vision and is excited about their success and progress and the promise of the future success.
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Become a Trailblazer Friend!
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Want to help us keep trailblazing toward our mission of expanding and connecting some of nature's best resources through our regional trail system? Our trail development plan is in motion and land acquisition and funding are well underway, but our work is far from done. That's why we need you to become a Great Lakes Bay Regional Trailblazer and help us spread the good word about how a regional trail system connects more than just places.
You can become a member of our trail family by going to our secure membership sign-up and choosing a trailblazer membership that fits you or your family’s needs!
Trailblazer Friends receive:
- A quarterly Newsletter with news of events, activities, volunteer opportunities, and special announcements pertaining to the Trail.
- A new, creatively designed logo sticker upon joining and at renewal time.
- Annual Fall membership meeting attendance where we distribute a free Trail Guide.
- 10% discounts at Ray's Bike Shop, Chicky and Chippy Cycle/Fitness, The Stable Outdoor Outfitters, Jack's Bicycle Shop, Bicycle Village Saginaw Valley and Cyclefit Multisport.
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Coming this Summer to Our Trail
Row/Ride/Run
June 3, 2017 - Row the river, bike the trails, and run to the finish at Saginaw's Ojibway Island Park!
Click for More Info and to Register
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