Whether you’re a marathon trainer, a bike rider or a casual evening stroller, you probably have a favorite route, and in Washtenaw County your path is likely to include some portion of the near-complete Border-to-Border Trail, a.k.a. the B2B.
Funded, developed and promoted by the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative (HWPI), a 501c3 nonprofit based in Ann Arbor, the B2B is part of an increasingly connected network of non-motorized trails throughout the county. In partnership with its public partner, the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC), the initiative’s mission is to facilitate development and promote enjoyment of regional trails connecting people, communities and nature.
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The purpose of the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative
HWPI Executive Director Kiff Hamp said, “We work to develop non-motorized trails throughout Washtenaw County and into connecting counties, providing significant funding to our projects, as well as communications support, community engagement activities, policy expertise, volunteer opportunities and programming. HWPI oversees all private, and some public, funding while WCPARC owns much of the B2B Trail while overseeing construction, engineering and maintenance.”
When complete, the 55-mile B2B Trail will traverse the entire county, from the Washtenaw-Wayne border in the east to the Washtenaw-Jackson border in the west – crossing through four cities, two major universities, two major hospital hubs, multiple natural areas, three large metro parks and more.
“More than half the trail runs next to the Huron River,” said Hamp. And, according to Hamp, only seven miles remain for the trail to be fully connected and complete within the county.
People of all ages, abilities, and income levels can enjoy the trails, and it’s by design.
“With the B2B Trail and connecting trail segments running through both urban and rural areas made up of varying income levels and demographics, our target population of trail users will be an extremely diverse reflection of the communities along this trail,” said Hamp.
What nonmotorized trails offer communities
“Nonmotorized trails provide tremendous value to communities,” he said. “Washtenaw County’s B2B Trail — and connecting trails into Wayne County and Jackson and Ingham Counties — is free to the public, accessible from major urban areas and rural towns, and offers completely free, outdoor, safe recreational environments for all people.”
In fact, more than four million people live within an hour of the B2B.
“Our work to connect the B2B Trail to other regional trails provides a truly unique opportunity to create a non-motorized trail network throughout Southeast Michigan,” said Hamp. “Because of this asset, residents will have unparalleled access to nature, including in areas where it is often difficult to connect to the outdoors in a safe and convenient way. These sections of trail will greatly benefit communities along the Huron River corridor and beyond, making exercise and outdoor activity more convenient and enjoyable, reducing our region’s carbon footprint and supporting local economies. Connecting trails will also greatly improve commuter routes and regional connectivity.”
Approximately seven miles remain to fully build the trail. “These final miles represent the most challenging and expensive segments of the whole project, and will be a majority of our funding priorities over the next four to five years,” said Hamp. The projects include three along the Huron River between Ann Arbor and Dexter (comprising about three miles of trail including bridges over the Huron River and boardwalk); two projects along the Dexter to Chelsea corridor (comprising about two miles, including a bridge over Mill Creek); and one project from where the trail currently ends at Boyce Road along M-52 to the Washtenaw-Jackson County line (about 1.5 miles).
“We are also working to connect the trail north of Dexter coming out of Hudson Mills, eventually connecting to the Lakelands Trail near Pinkney,” said Hamp. The trail will connect in the west through Jackson and Ingham Counties to the Lakelands Trailhead in Stockbridge, eventually creating a 20+ mile loop. To the east, HWPI is currently funding an approximately eight-mile trail through Van Buren Township, connecting the end of the B2B Trail in Ypsilanti Township to the Lower Huron Metropark and ending close to Lake Erie.
“While we don’t have a hard date on having secured all of the very significant funding necessary to complete the last seven miles of the B2B Trail, we are working hard to have that in hand in the coming years,” said Hamp. “Our fundraising goals also include funding for the connector trails north of Hudson Mills, west of the county line into Stockbridge and east into the Lower Huron Metropark. While much of our focus is on the Dexter-Ann Arbor corridor given the expense associated, we are actively fundraising for all segments,” he continued.
To get involved by either volunteering or donating toward the effort, visit huron-waterloo-pathways.org.
“This entire project is based on collaboration,” said Hamp.
