Trenton, Michigan, Who Continue to Make the City an Active Hub for Recreation and a Vibrant Trail Town
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TRENTON TRAIL TOWN MASTER PLAN Acknowledgments This Master Plan is dedicated to the Downriver Linked Greenways (DLG), Riverside Kayak Connection, Michigan Sea Grant and the business owners, city staff, elected officials and citizens of Trenton, Michigan, who continue to make the city an active hub for recreation and a vibrant Trail Town. Support to develop this Master Plan was generously provided to the Downriver Linked Greenways by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan honor Mr. Wilson’s charitable legacy by supporting efforts across the region in caregiving, design and access, and youth sports, as well as for community assets in Mr. Wilson’s home community of Grosse Pointe. Additional project support was provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Iron Belle Trail Program. This Trail Town Master Plan was prepared by the Land Information Access Association (LIAA) in cooperation with DLG and officials and volunteers from the City of Trenton. October 2018 TRENTON TRAIL TOWN MASTER PLAN Table of Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Appendix Toolkit A: Resources for Local Officials Toolkit B: Resources for Business Owners Toolkit C: Resources for Volunteers Introduction 1 Trail Systems Profile 13 Town Profile 17 Action Plan 25 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Trenton Trail Town Master Plan Trenton Trail Town he human, health and community benefits associated Twith recreational trails have been widely studied and well documented. Trails can help encourage healthy lifestyles and active living by supporting recreational activities that are inclusive and universally accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Trails can help preserve the environment by protecting important human and wildlife corridors and reducing air CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION pollution through alternative modes of transportation. Trails can help foster a strong sense of community and place, providing an opportunity for social interaction and access to community amenities such as parks, neighborhoods, schools and downtowns. Recreational trails can also have a significant impact on the local The Trail Town as an Economic Development Strategy economy. Trails can help attract and support tourism and new business “Communities are realizing the economic potential of trails as highly opportunities. In addition, local residents often spend money on trail- desirable destinations that bring dollars into the places they serve…trails related activities and related businesses. As the link between trails and and greenways attract visitors from near and far — visitors who facilitate economic development is better understood, many communities are job growth in tourism-related opportunities like restaurants, local stores looking for ways to capitalize on their current trail networks. This plan and lodging. Communities are increasingly utilizing this ‘Trail Town’ is designed to discuss and illustrate how Trenton can better leverage its existing (and future) trail systems to maximize trail-based tourism and model of economic revitalization that places trails as the centerpiece economic development opportunities — that is, to redefine Trenton as of a tourism-centered strategy for small-town revitalization.” a “Trail Town.” Excerpted from a 2007 article published by the Rails to Trails Conservancy 2 What is a Trail Town? Trail Towns - A Michigan Perspective A Trail Town is a community along The Trail Town concept has taken root in Trail Town Master plans for nine communities along a land or water trail that actively communities and along trails all over Michigan. In Michigan’s Thumb coast. supports trail users by promoting southeast Michigan, the Clinton River Watershed In June of 2014, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder its trail resources to both tourists Council and the Huron River Watershed Council signed into effect Public Act 210, which states that and citizens, providing the goods each have active Trail Town initiatives that are upon petition from a local official, the director of the and services trail users need, and designed to help towns within each watershed Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) embracing its trail system as an develop universally accessible amenities (e.g., may designate a city, village or township as a “Pure important resource to enhanced access sites) and leverage their riverside assets Michigan Trail Town,” provided the community and celebrated. In such a town, the for water-oriented community development. meets certain criteria. Those criteria were finalized Trenton Trail Town Master Plan St. Clair County, in partnership with regional trail is an integral and important by the DNR in 2018 and communities can now economic development agencies and Michigan part of the community, central to apply for the designation. State University Extension, has developed formal its identity and character. CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION Most trail users will require some degree of goods and services. Making connections with local restaurants, bars and retailers is important in creating a friendly Trail Town community. 3 Supporting Economic Development Initiatives in A TRAIL TOWN SHOULD: Master Plan Trenton Trail Town Trenton • Meet both the needs of trail tourists and the residents of the This plan recognizes the significant efforts that local business owners, community; organizations such as the Downriver Linked Greenways (DLG), • Have the physical amenities that support trail users such as bike/ municipal staff members, local officials, and regional economic kayak racks, wayfinding signs, wide sidewalks, well-marked development agencies already provide in support of tourism, crosswalks, drinking fountains, and benches with shade; and economic development and trail building in Trenton and the entire • Have the business amenities that appeal to and support trail users downriver area. (such as a bike shop, kayak outfitter, casual restaurant, boutique- style shops, an ice cream shop, motels and campgrounds). The strategies and recommendations outlined in this document are meant to highlight new ideas and spark discussions about Overnight trail users or trail tourists might also seek additional CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION how Trenton could better utilize its trail assets to expand on and business amenities, such as a laundromat and a café with Internet. complement existing recreation and community development efforts. Open and inviting storefronts and vibrant pedestrian-friendly streets Furthermore, many of the strategies and recommendations outlined also appeal to trail users and will encourage visitors to casually stroll in this document support ongoing local, regional and even statewide through your downtown. efforts to capitalize on and leverage local assets for community and economic development. Trail Town Characteristics A Trail Town is a community that has embraced its trail assets and is actively using its trails to leverage new opportunities for community and economic development. A Trail Town is also a community that celebrates and actively works to promote, maintain and enhance its trail networks. A Trail Town is an active, attractive, and interesting place with accessible and comfortable spaces. These spaces in turn host a variety of activities that promote social interaction and a strong sense of place. 4 A Regional Perspective The Trail Town Strategy It is important for local trail advocates, economic development Ultimately, Trenton needs to be a friendly place that supports, celebrates professionals and public officials in Trenton to understand that the and encourages paddlers, walkers/runners, bikers and other trail users city is not an isolated community; it is linked by its trail network to visit and welcomes them with warm hospitality. Trenton also needs to other communities throughout the greater downriver area. to continue working with its partners on the continued development, Furthermore, its association with the Iron Belle Trail means Trenton expansion, maintenance and promotion of its existing trail networks. is linked to communities along the entire length of that statewide Understanding the basic elements of a Trail Town Strategy is an trail. important part of building this culture. Typically, water trails tend to be used by people seeking an excursion Trenton Trail Town Master Plan of a few hours in duration. However, some adventurous “through- paddlers” may be on the water trail for multiple days. Similarly, most bike tourists seek a half-day or entire-day excursion, but some bike tourists may ride for multiple days and visit several communities in the area, especially on weekends. In addition, although vacationers may visit (often repeatedly) the trail located at their primary destination (or “hub”), they may also access different sections of the same trail or different trails altogether when they visit nearby towns throughout the duration of their stay. CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION It will also be important for local community leaders, trail advocates, business owners and economic development organizations to regularly communicate with surrounding communities and participating state agencies about local trail conditions, safety concerns and trail/biking events. Regular communication can be especially useful if large paddle- or bike-themed events or tours pass through the community. 5 Trenton Trail Town Master Plan Trenton Trail Town THE