Michigan DNR announces opening of Fred Meijer Clinton Ionia Shiawassee State Trail

The Fred Meijer Clinton Ionia Shiawassee Trail provides 42
miles of hiking and cycling opportunities through three counties.

The Michighan Department of Natural Resources today announced that the 42-mile Fred Meijer Clinton Ionia Shiawassee State Trail officially is complete and open to the public.

The highly anticipated pedestrian and bike trail runs from the city of Owosso (Shiawassee County) to the city of Ionia (Ionia County), where it connects to other trails to form a 125-mile regional trail system.

This trail project spans three counties and will provide opportunities for communities to connect their local trails and businesses to the State Trail Network. The construction included repair and replacement of several trestle bridges, asphalt paving within the towns and compacted limestone surfacing between the towns. The DNR will finish the last few features such as edge restoration in spring, when the weather is more conducive to construction.

Improvements to the Fred Meijer Clinton Ionia
Shiawassee Trail include asphalt paving
between towns, as shown here.

“This trail has really been a great collaboration and many people are anxious to get out for a walk or a bike ride on the Fred Meijer Clinton Ionia Shiawassee State Trail,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “It’s a very exciting addition to the Michigan State Trails system, and the DNR is grateful to MDOT, the Meijer Foundation, Mid-West Michigan Trail Authority, our local communities, Friends groups, and all the other partners for their support throughout the project.”

Formerly belonging to the Central Michigan Railroad, the rail corridor was purchased in July 2007 by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the DNR with funds from the Federal Transportation Enhancement Program and Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

An official grand opening celebration will be held by the Mid-West Michigan Trail Authority, Friends of the Fred Meijer Clinton Ionia Shiawassee State Trail and other partners in spring 2015. The DNR will announce details about the grand opening via press release and email subscription. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to sign up for email updates.