A Greenway is a network of open space, trails, and bike lanes for walking, jogging, biking and roller-blading that links neighborhoods and destinations such as parks, schools, libraries and shopping areas.
What are the benefits of Greenways?
Greenways have been proven to offer the following benefits:
- Environmental improvements (filtering air and water pollution)
- Recreation, exercise and health benefits
- Alternative transportation
- Beautification
- Wildlife habitat
- Economic development and property value enhancement
The opportunity to walk or ride a bike through a beautiful greenspace, alive with trees, grass and shrubs, will result in significant benefits for citizens and tourists.
What is the Greenways Movement in Southeast Michigan?
There is a movement taking place in southeast Michigan. Everywhere you look, new green and blue lines are appearing on maps and then sprouting up in the real world in the form of “greenways” and “blueways” – trails for biking, hiking, jogging and even canoeing and kayaking from one place to another.
The Conner Creek Greenway is a primary greenway route in a larger “Greenway Vision” in Southeast Michigan. As such, it could link to Macomb County’s developing greenway reaching north to 14 Mile Road and the Red Run Drain. These projects would combine to create a regional linked greenway network between neighborhoods, cities and counties, and ultimately lead people to our greatest natural resource, the Detroit River.
The Conner Creek Greenway is expected to connect to other existing greenways such as the RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut through proposed routes along East Jefferson Avenue and Kercheval, through Elmwood and down the former Belt Line Railroad.
The Conner Creek Greenway has been funded in part by MDOT and the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan. The Foundation, with partners such as DTE Energy Foundation and the Kresge Foundation, funded the planning, development and construction of a vibrant network of trails throughout the seven counties of Southeast Michigan. Soon, you will be able to go from the headwaters of the Huron River or the Clinton River in northern Oakland County to the Detroit River or Lake Erie without ever getting in your car.
