Shaping the next 25 years of trail development

Imagine a Michigan where trails seamlessly connect communities, promote health and wellness, and fuel economic growth. This is the vision behind MI Trails 2050, a collaborative initiative to create a roadmap for the future of trails in our state. 

Trails are unique in the way that collaboration and coordination is required to plan, build, and promote sustainable use and maintenance. A statewide trail planning and public engagement effort at that scale last took place in 2007, creating the “Connecting Michigan” plan. This update to the plan will involve diverse stakeholders from across the state representing government, community organizations, businesses, and public and private funders.

Michigan boasts a rich network of trails, but maximizing their potential requires a strategic plan. MI Trails 2050 addresses this need by:

  • Taking a holistic approach: We’ll consider the impact of trails on health, wellness, community building, economic development, transportation, recreation, and the environment. 
  • Raising awareness: Embracing communities’ identities while rethinking trails as multipurpose amenities for an enhanced quality of life. 
  • Engaging many voices: Through six summits spread across the state, we’ll convene communities and stakeholders to shape the future of trails. 
  • Building a lasting legacy: MI Trails 2050 will be a co-created document, ensuring a roadmap that reflects the needs and aspirations of all Michiganders. 

We invite you to join us in shaping the future of Michigan’s trails. Participate in a summit near you, share your ideas, become a sponsor, and help us build a thriving trail network for generations to come.

TAKE OUR SURVEY

As part of preparation for the six Regional Summits planned for summer 2025, we’d like to get your thoughts on the continued relevance of major themes and issues in Connecting Michigan: A Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan (PDF link, 6.6 MB), a MTGA plan to “develop a quality statewide networked system of trails and greenways” completed in 2007.

The survey should take about 10-15 minutes to complete. At the end, please let us know which additional issues, not included in Connecting Michigan, should be considered, and answer a few questions about yourself. Your response can be anonymous or not, as you choose.

Take the Survey

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Save the date

As part of this statewide effort, we’re seeking to create space for better communication and coordination between public and private stakeholders, to build a shared plan and vision that integrates trails more effectively with local, regional, and state master plans.

We’re holding six regional summits across the state to bring together important perspectives from each part of Michigan. We anticipate that each summit will include a trail experience, a panel of regional experts, and a featured speaker. Let us know at mitrails2050@michigantrails.org if you have suggestions.

  • Register – June 3: Northern Center at NMU in Marquette
  • Register – June 10: Ziibiwing Center in Mount Pleasant
  • Register – June 17: SEMCOG in Detroit
  • Register – June 24: Fetzer Center at WMU in Kalamazoo
  • Register – July 8: Treetops Resort in Gaylord
  • Register – July 17: Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville (Benzie County)

Thanks to our sponsors

Interested in becoming a sponsor? We’d love to have your support! Please contact andrea@michigantrails.org for details.

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