Great Lakes Way push could add millions in trail tourism across the region
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN. The Great Lakes Way, a greenway and water trail network linking 45 communities from Port Huron to Toledo, Ohio, has 160 miles of greenways and 156 miles of water trails built, with about 65 percent of that usable now. A study puts the potential economic benefit at $3.75 billion to $5 billion a year in trail tourism.
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has already raised $25 million to match grants for the work. Detroit's Joe Louis Greenway, linking Dearborn, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, and the nearly five mile Detroit Riverwalk between Gabriel Richard Park and Ralph Wilson Park are both part of the network. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which opened last summer, has already brought cyclists across from Canada on its toll free pathway.
Todd Scott of the Detroit Greenways Coalition says proper trail design and facilities are what make the difference for riders and walkers who actually use it.
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