A recent Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan report documents substantial progress in creating The Great Lakes Way — an interconnected set of greenways and water trails stretching from Port Huron, Michigan on southern Lake Huron to Toledo, Ohio on western Lake Erie.
In 2000, the Community Foundation polled metropolitan Detroit communities about obstacles to building greenways. A consistent answer was that local communities did not have sufficient discretionary funds or that parks and recreation did not rank high enough in municipal priorities to meet funding requirements for state and federal greenway grants. The Community Foundation responded by raising money from the private and foundation sectors to issue grants to communities to overcome this obstacle.
In 2001, the Community Foundation raised $25 million to create its GreenWays Initiative — the first of its kind in the nation — to help make match requirements so that more trails could be constructed and their many benefits like health and wellness, economic revitalization, transportation options, and improved quality of life be realized. Over time, this initiative grew to $35 million and leveraged $150 million to build more than 100 miles of greenways.
As the program started winding down, the Community Foundation asked: “What’s next?” The answer was to build on the foundation of the GreenWays Initiative and work with the many greenways partners to create The Great Lakes Way. In 2019, the Community Foundation established an advisory committee to create this coastal necklace of greenways and water trails. The advisory committee included representatives from National Park Service, Detroit Greenways Coalition, Downriver Linked Greenways, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation, and many other municipal and private organizations.
The first step was to create a vision of how “all residents and visitors of southeast Michigan are connected to and benefit from world-class freshwater, wildlife, recreation, and heritage right in our backyard through a Great Lakes Way.” Next, the Community Foundation engaged the communities up and down the coast in an educational campaign to raise awareness and build support throughout the region. Thus far, 45 communities and other trail stakeholders have signed collaboration agreements pledging support. In addition, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments developed an interactive map that traces trail routes and identifies points of interest along the way.
Trail Progress
All 156 miles of water trails are complete and usable, although more kayak launches will be constructed in the future. For the greenways, a baseline survey was performed in 2020 to document the current status and to allow progress to be measured over time. A follow-up survey was performed in 2024. In total, the number of greenway miles increased from 160 in 2020 to 167 in 2024. This increase resulted from finding more efficient routes.
A comparison of these data from both 2020 and 2024 found that 65% of these trails were useable. However, the total miles of completed greenways — safe and comfortable for most users — increased from 61 in 2020 to 81 in 2024. The survey also found that an additional eight miles of greenways had received funding for trail construction by 2024. Therefore, the total number of usable and funded greenways increased from 104 miles in 2020 (65%) to 124 miles in 2024 (74%). This demonstrates substantial progress in completing The Great Lakes Way.
“The Great Lakes Way is more than just a trail; it is a catalyst for health, happiness, and economic prosperity, said Andrea LaFontaine, executive director of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and member of the Community Foundation’s Great Lakes Way Advisory Committee. “The rapid progress of The Great Lakes Way is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the many partners involved. While the Great Lakes Way has already made a significant impact, we must continue to invest in trail development and maintenance. By building a robust network of interconnected trails, we can create a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
Other Initiatives of The Great Lakes Way
Other projects have been undertaken to help expand The Great Lakes Way, manifest its benefits, and put it into the consciousness of residents and visitors. For example, a Pure Michigan water trail application was submitted in 2024 (decision expected: 2025). In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Trans Canada Trail, Ontario’s Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, Michigan’s Iron-Belle Trail and The Great Lakes Way to promote cross-border trail tourism once the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens in the fall of 2025. To better understand the potential for cross-border trail tourism, a Canada-U.S. Conference on this topic was convened with many partners at the University of Windsor on October 22, 2024.
To help manifest the potential economic benefits of The Great Lakes Way, a study was undertaken that showed that the total economic impact of this trail system was estimated at $3.75-$5 billion annually.
“The Great Lakes Way is already contributing billions to the southeast Michigan region in direct economic development, and equally significant contributions to improved public health and quality of life,” said John Austin, senior fellow at the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College and senior author of the economic benefits study. “But it is so much more. It’s helping more residents of southeast Michigan connect to their community, to connect to the Great Lakes and outdoors, to better connect with and understand our region’s history and our place in the world, and to connect to each other.”
Vision map for The Great Lakes Way. (credit: Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan)
For more than three decades, Canada has had a Great Lakes Waterfront Trail that helps reconnect Canadians to the Great Lakes and helps protect them as a gift to future generations. It has grown into a signed 2,250-mile route of interconnecting roads and off-road trails joining over 150 communities and First Nations. The Council of State Governments, Midwestern Office, the eight Great Lakes states, The Great Lakes Way, and other partners are exploring the creation of a U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail that would mirror Canada’s Great Lakes Waterfront Trail through a series of facilitated roundtable discussions among the eight Great Lakes States. As part of this effort, the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program is helping map trail routes and identify trail gaps.
Finally, The Great Lakes Way was recognized by a professional society in 2024. PEA Group, the firm providing landscape architecture services on the project, received a Merit Award from the Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for research and planning on The Great Lake Way.
For more information, visit The Great Lakes Way website or explore the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments interactive map of trail routes and points of interest.
Catch more news at Great Lakes Now:
Great Lakes Moment: Michigan’s Port of Monroe fosters a blue economy that welcomes wildlife
Great Lakes Moment: Sacred Grounds
Featured image: Infographic about The Great Lakes Way. (credit: Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan)
