Trail enthusiasts meet to share exciting developments in southern Wayne County

Mary Bohling<bohling@msu.edu>, Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Extension -

Downriver Linked Greenways celebrates new opportunities with trail users, communities and partners.

From left, Tiffany Van DeHey, owner Riverside Kayak Connection; Congresswoman Debbie Dingell; and Richard Marsh, city manager River Rouge stand in front of three sign kiosks that will be installed in 11 locations along the Downriver Linked Greenways. Photo credit: Friends of the Detroit River
From left, Tiffany Van DeHey, owner Riverside Kayak Connection; Congresswoman Debbie Dingell; and Richard Marsh, city manager River Rouge show off some of the new sign kiosks that will be installed in 11 locations along the Downriver Linked Greenways. Photo credit: Friends of the Detroit River

Recently trail enthusiasts gathered in Flat Rock, Mich., for a Downriver Linked Greenways (DLG) celebration. The “Trail Triumphs” celebration in January 2019, was a time to share the exciting things that are happening in the growing network of land and water trails, and to celebrate the Downriver region’s positive trail momentum. Co-chaired by Michigan Sea Grant and Riverside Kayak Connection, Downriver Linked Greenways in a nonprofit organization facilitating trail development for 21 communities in southern Wayne County. The great work that has taken place toward building a network of blueways and greenways, has spawned new opportunities, initiatives, collaborations and partnerships that will further the vision of establishing the Downriver area as a tourist destination in Southeastern Michigan.

Highlights of the festivities included remarks from Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, the debut of a video of the healthy benefits of trails and the unveiling of new DLG kiosks, road decals, and confidence markers that will be placed along the DLG trail.

Multiple agencies have come together to blaze the trail, including the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Iron Belle Trail, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Design and Access Funds, Friends of the Detroit River, Riverside Kayak Connection, Michigan Sea Grant, Wayne County Parks, City of Flat Rock, City of Trenton, Healthy Trenton and Beaumont. Trail partners and agencies were on site for the mini-expo event to share their accomplishments and the important work that continues to be done in moving the trail hub vision forward.

Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s coastal, Great Lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and its MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 33 university-based programs.

This article was prepared by Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator Mary Bohling under award NA14OAR4170070 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce through the Regents of the University of Michigan. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Commerce, or the Regents of the University of Michigan.

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  • michigan sea grant,
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  • tourism,
  • water trails,
  • wayne county
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