Lake St. Clair Water Trail to Launch in August

Hold onto your paddles, kayakers—the Lake St. Clair Water Trail is set to launch this August.

The Macomb County trail, made possible by a $10,000 grant from Michigan Sea Grant to the Lake St. Clair Tourism Development Program, will link to existing water trails in Wayne and St. Clair counties to complete a state-wide system.

“We want to be sure this is a community-driven project, and that it complements some of the recreational activities that already exist in the best way,” said Mary Bohling, Sea Grant Extension Educator for Southeast Michigan, in a release. “We have received a very positive response from communities who want to see it move forward, as well as from organizations like Pure Michigan and local chambers.”

The trail will be suited for all levels of open water kayaking and other paddling sports. As an added draw, trail maps detailing points of interest such as a shipwreck on Lake St. Clair, Metro Beach and other natural landscape features will also be available at locations such as nature centers, libraries and municipal buildings along the route.

On the economic front, the trail will allow lakefront communities to promote their locale as a point of attraction for business and development.

“Just like the lake, the coastline is a built-in economic development tool, and we should be doing all we can to take advantage of the opportunities it presents,” said James Carabelli, Board of Commissioners’ Economic Development Committee co-chair, in a release. “I am pleased to see the project coming together.”

Plans for the trail are expected to be complete some time in August, but paddling enthusiasts, marina operators and members of the public will have an opportunity to take an active role in the project through focus groups and public comment sessions slated for May.

Development of the trail concept began last year when the Michigan Sea Grant awarded $10,000 to the Lake St. Clair Tourism Development Program. Michigan State University Extension matched the contribution.

“This is a good example of how during these tough economic times, county leadership needs to think creatively to come up with revenue-generating opportunities that utilize assets which are already in place,” said Commissioner David Flynn, in a release. “Projects like this one bring visitors to Macomb County, and also benefit surrounding businesses.”