Our History

The Clinton River Trail trail is the product of a Master Plan commissioned in 2003 by the Rails to Trails conservancy after the Grand Trunk Western Railroad abandoned the rail corridor that now makes up major portions of the trail. A major force behind this plan was the Friends of the Clinton River trail founder, Dan Keifer. We’ve been there since the start.

From 2001 to 2003, the city of Pontiac and four other cities acquired critical portions of the abandoned railroad and in 2004 signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to operate their portion of the trail with connections at the city borders and adjoining regional trails. Plus, they agreed to continue to meet on a regular basis to review trail issues of mutual interest.

Over the past 17 years, projects big and small have occurred to convert a vision to reality.  This includes the construction of a bridge over Telegraph Road in 2012

Much has been done and there is more to do.