Its the next step in completing the Bridge to Bay trail network in St. Clair County. The Convention and Visitors bureau is chipping in to help front the costs of an initial feasibility and engineering study on how to best fill the remaining gaps. Sheri Faust is with the Friends of the St. Clair River organization and also chairs the Community Foundation’s Regional Trails Planning Committee. She tells WPHM when it comes to trails, the easiest part has already been done.
“The first 26 miles that are on the ground right now, those were the easiest to build,” said Faust. “As we move deeper into the rest of this project, it’s going to get more complex. Right now the Bridge to Bay trail is not clearly identified… you might not even know you’re on it, and it’s not easy to get to community to community.”
Faust says trails such as the Bridge to Bay network are proven economic drivers and tourism draws, which is why the Convention and Visitor’s bureau is contributing $200,000 to the cause. The Bridge to Bay trail stretches from Lakeport State Park to Algonac State Park and points south. Of the 54 mile long trail, about half, or 26 miles, are currently built out.
