1. Can a 1st Class Greenway trail be built here?
Yes: The green spaces along the Clinton River in Macomb County are some
of the most scenic in SE Michigan.

2. What about private property?
Some sections of the path will be diverted to avoid privately owned property.

3. Will such a trail be safe?
Yes: Detailed nationwide crime studies have shown that crime along trails is almost nonexistent, and in some cases, crime even dropped after a trail was put in.

In the report Rail-Trails and Safe Communities by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 372 different trails, with over 45 million estimated annual users were studied. Findings on 36 urban trails (332 miles of trails with 5 million annual users): "The national rate for muggings is 335 per 100,000 inhabitants; urban rail-trails found only 15 incidents in 1996. The national rate for urban assaults was 531 per 100,000 inhabitants; urban rail-trails had only 17 incidents. The national rate for forcible rape was 43 per 100,000 inhabitants; no rapes were reported on urban trails in 1996." Findings on 82 suburban trails (over 1,100 miles with 14 million annual users): "Suburban national rape rates were 29 per 100,000; no reported rapes along any suburban rail-trails. Suburban aggravated assaults were 293 per 100,000; only two aggravated assaults were reported on trail-trails."

A letter from Charles R. Tennant, Chief of Police in Elizabeth Township, Buena Vista, PA: "The trail has not caused any increase in the amount of crimes reported and the few reported incidents are minor in nature...We have found that the trail brings so many people that is has actually led to a decrease in problems...since the trail was constructed and opened for use we have found that the trail has not caused any inconvenience to property owners along the trail. Residents seem to enjoy having the trail near their homes."

John S. Reder, County Sheriff from Midland, MI: "I would state that crime has NOT been a factor on or near the rail-trail."

4. Isn’t the Lower Clinton River dead, too polluted and full of junk?
No: The river has come back a lot. In fact some game fish are even coming back into the river as well as waterfowl. For more information about the Clinton River, check out the Clinton River Watershed Council website.

5. What about the Metro Beach trail along 16 mile road?
The Clinton River Pathway, along with other current projects, will create a trail system that will complement the 16 Mile path making the Metro Beach trail accessible to those living north of 16 Mile.

6. Can we afford to build the Clinton River Pathway?
Yes: the Clinton River Pathway will be cost effective to build as 80% of the land is already public. Grant dollars are available and a number of potential funding sources have already been found, some federal, state, local, private, and non-profit.

7. Won’t it hurt property values along the trail?
No: A number of studies have been done across North America, showing that trails increase property values for nearby property. A study done in the Great Lakes region shows property adjacent to trails sells faster and on avgerage 9% more than similar property not adjacent to trails.

For more information about the economic, recreational, health, and conservancy benefits of non-motorized trails, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's website.