Public Invited to Comment on Draft Feasibility Plan for Connecting Greater Lansing Area to Broader Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2023
LANSING, Mich. — The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (Tri-County) is pleased to announce the completion of a Regional Trails Feasibility Plan for the Greater Lansing area. The plan establishes a conceptual blueprint for over 75 miles of trails that can form interregional connections to the region’s core cycling, pedestrian, and recreational facilities.
The plan primarily explores the feasibility of developing three new trails that provide a connection between the existing Lansing River Trail network with major trails in the state that enter the tri-county region, including the Clinton Ionia Shiawassee (CIS) Trail in northern Clinton County, the Paul Henry Trail in southwest Eaton County, and the Lakelands State Park Trail in southern Ingham County.
“The region’s existing trail system is one of our most impressive assets,” said Executive Director Jim Snell. “It’s time to recognize the economic, mobility, and health benefits of trails and our central location in the state, and invest in expanding the network to make our region a more vibrant and competitive place to live, play, and visit.”
Tri-County invites members of the public to review and comment on the draft Regional Trails Feasibility Plan, located at mitcrpc.org/trails, through July 25, 2023. The feasibility plan identifies trail route options, design concepts, an analysis of potential environmental conditions and economic impacts, basic cost estimates, and an additional “how-to” guide for local organizations seeking to build trails in their area.
Tri-County’s plan prioritizes the implementation of routes using a tiered approach, recommending trail segment options that best link the region’s existing network to the state trails while connecting major population centers, local parks and recreational facilities, and other community assets along the way. Ultimately, the plan intends to prepare the region to secure future funding opportunities, enhance and expand the connectivity and accessibility to communities both inside and outside the region, and explore strategies and partnerships to make the vision a reality.
The project began in early 2020 in partnership with the U.S. National Park Service and was revived in 2021 following delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, Tri-County has held numerous meetings, workshops, and feedback opportunities with local municipalities, members of the public, and an advisory committee comprised of representatives from Ingham County Parks, Clinton County Parks and Greenspace, Eaton County Parks, City of Lansing, Michigan Department of Transportation, U.S. National Park Service, and Tri-County Bicycling Association to guide development of the plan.
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CONTACT: Valonda Sesi
Marketing & Community Engagement Manager
vsesi@mitcrpc.org
517-898-1098
The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is a public planning agency established in 1956, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties in Mid-Michigan. Tri-County makes our region a more prosperous community by planning for a strong economy, reliable transportation, and sustainable infrastructure and natural resources. We connect local organizations and governments to funding, technical assistance, data resources, and opportunities to discuss trends and challenges affecting the Greater Lansing area. Learn more at www.mitcrpc.org.
