The public is invited to provide ideas and guidance for a proposed water trail on portions of the Upper Grand River. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 5th at the Blackman Charter Township Hall, 1990 W. Parnall Road, Jackson, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This meeting is the first step in developing a Water Trail Master Plan for the Upper Grand River and its major tributaries. The goal of the Water Trail Master Plan is to provide the framework for the future development and long-term sustainability of the proposed water trail. At the meeting, participants will be asked to help identify and prioritize the locations of existing and desired access sites and amenities, assess the degree of difficulty of various paddling routes along the river, locate potential obstacles and hazards, and identify community assets and linkages along the river.
A water trail is defined as a route along a river, lake, or bay specifically designed for people using small boats like kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, etc. Water trails, sometimes called “blueways”, are the aquatic equivalent to hiking trails (or greenways). Water trails include a comprehensive system of well-developed access and launch points. They promote healthy lifestyles, showcase Michigan’s incredible water resources, strengthen regional identity, and help grow local economies through tourism and spin-off local business sales and services, and by helping local business attract and retain high quality employees.
The planning effort is being overseen by the ad hoc Upper Grand River Water Trail Planning Committee, which includes representatives from the Upper Grand River Watershed Alliance, the Grand River Environmental Action Team, the City of Jackson and Jackson County Parks Departments, the Jackson County Drain Commissioner’s Office, Region 2 Planning Commission, local municipal officials, and other interested individuals and organizations. The committee is in the process of identifying potential water trail routes and conducting an inventory of known and potential access points along the river. As the plan begins to take shape, the committee will be looking for ways to connect with similar planning efforts on the middle and lower portions of the Grand, Michigan’s longest river. The Master Plan is also intended to meet new criteria for state water trail designation established by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The May 5th meeting is the first of several public forums planned to discuss the proposed water trail. Jackson County Drain Commissioner, Geoff Snyder, hopes paddlers and interested citizens will use these meetings to provide their opinions on how and where the water trail should be developed.
“It is my vision that the Grand River will become a recreational jewel. Increasing recreational use and public appreciation of the river are key to restoring the Grand River to its original grandeur from the Jackson County headwaters to Lake Michigan,” Snyder said. In addition to this public meeting, Snyder notes that citizens are welcome to talk with members of the planning committee and to continue participating throughout the planning process.
The nonprofit Land Information Access Association (LIAA) and the Region 2 Planning Commission are assisting the committee as consultants on the projects. Harry Burkholder, LIAA’s Executive Director said, “Communities across the state are working to develop water trails along their local rivers and the Great Lakes shorelines. We look forward to working with the Upper Grand Water Trail Committee and the entire community to develop an action plan for a safe and sustainable water trail.” Burkholder noted the plan will also include recommendations for maintenance, signage, and safety.