Watch a two minute tour of the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail! It’s like you are in the sky, flying over your fellow bike riders, power walkers, and joggers for almost 10 miles.
Well… sort of. Actually, it’s just aerial imagery from Google Earth. Watch as you ride over neighborhoods, wooded areas, and farm fields, starting at Lumberjack Park in St. Charles and finishing at Stroebel Road in James Township.
17 responses so far ↓
Randy M // 12/08/2008 at 11:04 am
Sure looks good going North but what about the beautiful view to the south of St. Charles, still in Saginaw county…I am talking about the rest of the trail…the southern extension to Chesaning. It would be a great link to a nice safe, friendly town with restaurants, cafes and bed and breakfast sites. What would be better than that? The rails to trails system in Michigan is extensive. The Sagniaw Valley Rail Trails gets a lot of use…it would get more if it was longer and included the 8 mile section south of St. Charles.
Janet K // 12/11/2008 at 3:03 pm
I am sorry that I can not attend the meeting on the 18th. To have the Rail-Trail be extended to the Chesaning area would be great for Saginaw County residents. I would be interested in receiving more information on this after your meeting and what the next steps would be to make this a reality. Thank you for your efforts in providing Saginaw County with additional recreation and business ventures and bringing more positive activities to our area!
Gary A // 12/11/2008 at 6:27 pm
The existing section is very clean, well maintained and much used, extending it to Chesaning would be more of the same and help our local economy as well. It would be good to see some of our tax money come to this end of the county
Lisa // 12/11/2008 at 7:32 pm
I am a Chesaning Citizen that resides in the country. Often driving through St. Charles my family comments on how it would be nice if their small community had a bike path like St. Charles does. I know my family would utilize it often and enjoy the extension of recreation. We hope to see this addition in our community.
Bob // 12/11/2008 at 8:31 pm
It is called the Saginaw COUNTY Parks and Rec Department. Presently, there are no County rec opportunities in southern Saginaw county (Chesaning area). The extension of the Rail Trail south of St. Charles to Chesaning would tie the community in nicely. I would like to see that extension agressively pursued.
Thank you.
William B // 12/12/2008 at 8:36 am
First, the Google Earth view of the current rail trail is not working! Secondly, having served on the village council in Chesaning for 6 years, I have seen the need and interest in developing the rail trail segment from St. Charles to Chesaning. There are excellent social reasons as well as economic reasons to support this initiative in the southern end of Saginaw County. We have seen what a paved trail has done for our Cole Park and want to extend that sort of initiative into our Showboat Park. The natural tie would be adding the Chesaning-St. Charles segment, particularly with our campground anchoring the southern end of the trail.
Anonymous // 12/16/2008 at 2:34 pm
Our children are at risk…unhealthy sedimentary lifestyles lead to many long term health issues. In sourthern saginaw county there are no recreation facilities. A rails to trails from St. Charles to Chesaning would address this problem…our taxes support the Saginaw Parks and Rec, we deserve to have this trail extended…Its a no brainer !!!
Damion // 12/16/2008 at 3:36 pm
There is no reason that we do not already have the southern end of this trail in operations! Get the track rights from the State and let’s start with a gravel trail while we work on more money for enhancements.
By the time we wait for the Cadillac system too many kids will have grown up and moved from the area; too many families will have looked beyond Saginaw County to locate their families.
This is easily obtainable and cost effective. Most importantly, it will be one reason to justify why people in the southern part of Saginaw County should vote for a parks millage.
Rod // 12/16/2008 at 10:23 pm
This trail would benefit all people. Not only would people be able to start/end the ride in Chesaning the could bike to the Shields area in a safe manner. This would encourage people to exercise without fear of being hit by a driver. This would be an excellent idea that should have started in this area not ended in this area.
JS // 12/17/2008 at 2:40 pm
I ask that you please assist us in the continuation of the Rail Trail into Chesaning. My family and I often use the Trail in St. Charles, although we reside in Chesaning, because it is one of the safest ways to get outdoors and get exercise. It is an activity that we can do as a family, and, it never fails, we always end up stopping for gas or food while we’re there! Those dollars could be spent in our own community.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ellen // 12/17/2008 at 7:02 pm
When we drive by the trail in St. Charles, I always wish that we had a path that would extend to Chesaning. What a wonderful addition this would be to exercise and to see the beautiful countryside in our area. The extension of the trail to Chesaning would be a positive sign to our community that we are still an important part of this county.
scott // 12/18/2008 at 1:33 pm
As a frequent visitor of local county and state parks, a great addtion would be a frisbee golf course. Freeland, St. Charles, Midalnd and Pinconning have all added frisbee golf courses. It is growing and popular sport. Once the initial set up is done, maintenance costs are virtually zero. Imerman Park would make a great . location. Please consider this alternative.
Tom T // 12/19/2008 at 9:51 pm
Every 5 years the Chesaning Parks and Recreation Commission develops a 5 year Plan with lengthy deliberation and input from the community. This plan identifies the recreational needs of the community and a framework for the development of these needs. The 2004-2009 Plan includes completion of the rail trail from St. Charles to Chesaning. Unfortunately this has not been completed but there continues to be significant interest. Hopefully the obvious interest in this project will provide impetus for completion.
DEBBIE S // 01/10/2009 at 12:58 pm
WE ENJOY THE RAIL TRAIL AND HAVE FOR 3 YEARS NOW BUT WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT LONGER!!!!!!! WE RIDE FROM MIDLAND TO CLAIR EVERY SAT BUT WOULD LOVE TO STAY CLOSER TO HOME IF THE TRAIL WERE LONGER.. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO CLIO GOING TO BIRCH RUN AND BIRCH RUN GOING TO ST CHARLES??? WE LIVE IN BR AND COULD RIDE ALL THE WAY TO SAG!!! BIG PLUS!
Nick C // 01/19/2009 at 6:34 am
I am new to the maintenance Department of Saginaw County, I want to make a positive note. The men and wemon that take care of your parks are hard working and need the support of the community . I have witnessed large storms come threw and the staff with you all in mind restore order in a very short time frame and they truly could use more help and yes it comes down to us focusing on money. So please show in any way you can to support the efforts of us all . Please show support any way you can.
Taylor // 01/24/2009 at 12:06 am
Saginaw needs to get a clue from Bay City in regard to utilizing the rivers resources that run through the county and capitalize on it. Compare the two and where would you rather take in the view?
Taylor // 01/24/2009 at 12:12 am
Nick C: Nobody took care of the park off M-13 last year and this winter they didn’t even bother to snowplow it. I wonder how much the city saved by NOT doing that, since people were plowing through areas off the actual road and tore up the park land. Take a look at the lovely park once the snow melts. That’ll cost more to fix that running a snowplow through it. It’s ridiculous. Neglecting areas such as this doesn’t give any Community actual pride.