A Massive Trail Expansion Is Coming to Genesee County

We already have some pretty solid trails around Genesee County; they just don’t all connect.

Take the Perry Road path, the Flint River Trail, or the Genesee Valley Trail. They’re all great, but right now they still feel like separate pieces instead of one big connected system.

That’s something the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation hopes to change.

According to ABC 12, the foundation is committing up to $25 million over the next five years to help expand and connect trails and sidewalks throughout Flint and Genesee County.

Which Trails Will Connect Across Genesee County?

The long-term goal is to connect many of the trails we already have, including the Perry Road path, Flint River Trail, Genesee Valley Trail, and parts of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail, into one larger Legacy Trails network.

One of the first big projects is the Grand Traverse Greenway Trail, which will connect the new Flint State Park to neighborhoods south of Flint.

Why Is Genesee County Expanding Its Trail System?

This isn’t just about having more places to walk or ride your bike.

The bigger goal is to better connect neighborhoods to parks, schools, shopping, healthcare, and jobs.

Long-term, leaders hope to create a 364-mile regional trail system.

I love all of this because the Perry Road path runs right in front of my neighborhood. Once all of this is completed, it’s going to feel like one never-ending trail.