History

1986

The national Rails to Trails Conservancy was formed. Michigan TRRails Alliance was created and focused on developing multi-use rail trails from abandoned rails.

1988

The Alliance joined the Rails to Trails Conservancy, becoming the Michigan Chapter of RTC.

1992

The inaugural Michigander Bicycle Tour was held in SW Michigan to showcase Michigan’s trail network.

2004

RTC regionalized its field offices, naming Ohio as the hub for the Midwest region, leaving the Michigan TRRails to assess its future. During its time with RTC, the Alliance helped initiate many rail-trail projects, formed friend groups, and helped develop over 1,500 miles of rail trails.

August 11, 2004

Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance was born!

2006

MTGA started the Connecting Michigan: A Statewide Trails Vision and Action Plan to identify the needs for a fully developed interconnected statewide trail network. Ten task forces identified and studied barriers to trail development.

2011

Great Lake-to-Lake Trail initiative launches — 150 stakeholders came together to designate five trails connecting one Great Lake to another.

2019

MTGA opens the first of five Great Lake-to-Lake Trails. Route 1 travels 275 miles from South Haven to Port Huron, linking 19 different trails.

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