Beginning from the Farmers' Market at the end of Ashman Street at the base of the Tridge, the 12-foot wide, asphalt-paved Pere Marquette Rail-Trail winds 3 miles through the City of Midland, expands to 14 feet in width and runs another 5.5 miles to Sanford before continuing on to Coleman, a total of 22 miles in length.
Open for walking, running, biking, rollerblading or any other non-mechanized activity while the weather keeps it clear, the Rail-Trail’s Midland portion was developed by the Midland Foundation and opened in 1993, expanded to Stanford in 1994 and linked to Coleman in 1995. Sometime during the year 2000 the trail will add another 8.25 mile portion leading to the outskirts of the City of Clare. Eventually, organizers hope to run the trail through Farwell, Evart, Reed City, Baldwin and Ludington, with a possible ferry connection to Wisconsin.
The trail leads through or near several recreation areas including Midland’s Emerson Park, the Dow Museum and Bradley House, the “Banking Grounds” in Averill, the Pine Haven Recreation Area, Sanford lake County Park and Veterans Memorial County Park.
For more information, contact the Midland County Parks and Recreation Department at (989) 832-6870 or visit the Friends of the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail's web site.
|
