Dear Friends,

It is with great anticipation that we begin the 2024 trail season.  Several projects are moving ahead, and it’s time to celebrate. The Clinton River Trail is twenty years old this year.  The Friends group is having a party and you are invited. 

 As you may know, Friends of the Clinton River Trail, or simply FCRT, is a 100% volunteer organization.  There are zero paid staff and no fancy offices.  Over a twenty-plus year span the group has had the support of numerous dedicated and very talented individuals.  Some of the earliest and most passionate volunteers are no longer with us.  It is now time for a new generation of volunteers to take the lead.  FCRT is looking for individuals that enjoy trails and can help carry the advocacy torch.  The final section of this newsletter is your personal invitation to help FCRT move the Clinton River Trail forward for the next twenty years.  Join us in making the trail of your future.

 Melinda Hill,

President FCRT

FREE 20TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

CLINTON RIVER TRAIL: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Wednesday, May 22, 2024  |  7pm

WHERE

Goldner Walsh Garden & Home, 589 Orchard Lake Road Pontiac, Michigan

We’re celebrating the Clinton River Trail's 20th Anniversary.  The event is free and includes snacks, beverages and BIRTHDAY CAKE.  Come and bring your friends to hear about the CRT’s past, present and future.  Don’t miss this happy event.  No need to RSVP, but if you want to tell us you’re coming, see our event listing on Facebook

Todd Scott
Executive Director, Detroit Greenways Coalition

Detroit Greenways Coalition leads advocacy efforts creating a citywide network of safe, convenient, and green non-motorized pathways. 

Back in 1998 a group of loosely organized citizens recognized a great opportunity to convert a soon to be abandoned railway into a recreational trail.  Led by Rochester Hills resident Dan Keifer, the group began their campaign. 

Early support developed quickly.  Numerous residents expressed interest along with staff support from Oakland County Planning and the City of Auburn Hills. Several newspapers began to chronicle the as yet unnamed trail’s story.

Around 2001 the name Clinton River Trail was selected, a logo was developed, and Keifer formalized the Friends of the Clinton River Trail into a non-profit corporation.  The group rallied around their vision of a trail that would be “a safe and enjoyable recreational feature for the communities through which it passes.”  That statement continues today as the mission of FCRT. 

It was recognized millions of dollars would need to be invested for this vision to become a reality; yet the immediate lack of funds was never a discouragement.  FCRT always believed that a good idea, with sufficient public support, would ultimately be funded.  And funded it was.  Not all at once, but piece by piece, city by city, the Clinton River Trail began to happen.

In 2004 the five cities — Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Pontiac and Sylvan Lake — joined together in signing a “Memorandum of Understanding” which cemented their commitment to support the trail as a contiguous 16 mile-long entity across eastern Oakland County.  That 2004 milestone is recognized as the official “birth” of the Clinton River Trail.

Trail Developments

Adams Rd. Crossing: This summer a new mid-block crossing will be installed from the Leach Road trailhead to the Market Place.  The crossing will be equipped with a HAWK Beacon to facilitate safe crossing.  Completion expected by mid-summer.

Bagley Side Path: Along with road resurfacing, a new eight-foot wide sidepath will be installed on the west side of Bagley.  CRT’s route will shift from the east side to the west side to avoid numerous cross streets and driveways.  Construction starts this summer.

Meadow Drive/CRT Extension: Presently being designed, this will extend CRT along the North Spur from Opdyke to near M-59.  Eventual connection to the Pike St. Connector will be at Eastway and Michigan Ave.  Bidding this summer, construction likely in 2025.

Stay current with Clinton River Trail and FCRT updates on our Facebook Group.

Five Ways You Can Help the CRT

#1 – Use and enjoy the trail!  Nothing demonstrates the importance and vitality of the trail to its owners (the 5 cities) more than frequent utilization. 

#2 – Leave No Trace!  A long-standing outdoor mantra, the basic concept is to pick up after oneself, don’t damage the trail and natural surroundings, and be courteous to other users.

#3 – Report problems!  The FCRT website has a page with municipal contacts to report any issues observed along the trail.  Copy FCRT and we will help follow-up.

#4 – Share your experiences and ideas!  Post it on social media.  Have an idea for improvement? Drop FCRT an email at clintonrivertrail@gmail.com. 

#5 – Participate in the Friends group!  Attend a meeting (usually the last Tuesday of the month, check the website for details.  Volunteer for an event.  Make a donation – all funds go to benefit the trail.  Help shape the CRT for the future!

Andrea LaFontaine
Executive Director, Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance (MTGA)

MTGA is a statewide non-profit helping people build, connect, and promote trails for a healthier and more prosperous Michigan

This Trail Didn’t Just Happen

Dan Keifer, ca. 1999

Early champions for the Clinton  River Trail (l. to r.) Pat Mullen, Shirley Mullen, Dan Keifer (FCRT Founder) and Mark Pompetzki.