The Health Improvement Committee recognized the Flint

River Trail as a key piece of infrastructure that provides a

place for people to engage in physical activity. With grant

funding from the Ruth Mott Foundation, the Flint River

Trail Committee was formed to provide

direction for improving the

Flint River Trail, to increase

awareness of the trail, and

to encourage more frequent

use of the trail. The initial

phase of the project began

in March 2005 and it is

anticipated to be a multi-year,

multi-phased project. The committee

hopes to establish a beautiful, integrated trail system that

would eventually connect people from the City of Flushing,

through the City of Flint to Mott Lake, and the community

of Genesee.

How can I benefit from the Flint River Trail?Better HealthWalk, run, or bike. There is a rich body of scientific research

demonstrating the health, social, and psychological benefits

of regularly engaging in physical activity. Active individuals

have decreased risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,

obesity, cancer, high blood pressure,

osteoporosis, depression, anxiety

and death. Protect your health

and enjoy the opportunities the

Flint River Trail offers right in

your backyard.

Fun Family ActivitiesThe river trail offers a perfect setting

for families and friends to interact in a healthy

and inexpensive manner. Have a cookout, go fishing, sit by

the water, or play volleyball or soccer in one of the parks

along the trail. The

trail also provides

non-motorized

access to Bluebell

Beach, Stepping

Stone Falls, and the

other Genesee County Mott

Lake facilities. The Flint River Trail is the perfect place

for fun and games with family and friends.

Picturesque ViewsEnjoy the natural beauty of a Michigan waterway. The

landscaping includes flowers and shrubs set against

beautiful views of the river. Occasionally, geese, herons,

ducks, and other wildlife are spotted along the trail. The

Flint River Trail is a scenic, peaceful retreat.

Educational InsightFuture plans include adding Wayside Historical Signage

along the trail. These signs will offer a great history lesson

to users of the trail. Adults and youth alike will enjoy

learning about our Flint heritage surrounded by the

wonders of nature.

Who uses the Flint River Trail?

Everyone is welcome to use the Flint River Trail. For

individuals who would like an introduction to the

trail and its use, there are organized groups who lead tours

of the Flint River Trail.

• The Friends of the Flint River Trail meet at the Flint

City Market at 2:00 p.m. every Sunday, May through

October, for bike rides along the trail. Newcomers are

welcome! For more information, visit http://edtech.

mcc.edu/ffrt or call 235-1490 or 232-3161.

• Crim walking/running training groups may be using

sections of the trail on Tuesday evenings throughout

the summer to train for the Crim Races.

What is the Flint River Trail?

The Flint River Trail is a linear park that currently

follows the Flint River from downtown Flint north to

Bluebell Beach in the Genesee County Recreation Area.

The existing Flint River Trail is the spine of a developing

Flint River Trail System that now includes a loop through

Kearsley Park and the Flint Cultural Center.

Currently, trail users can travel from the University of

Michigan-Flint campus to Bluebell Beach, approximately

a 12 mile round-trip. An extension to Stepping Stone

Falls is due for completion in late 2005 or early

2006. Future plans include the development of other

connectors within the City of Flint, expansion west from

downtown to Kettering University and Mott Park, and

the completion of the Genesee County Park trail system

around Mott Lake.

Most of the trail is asphalt; however, there are a few

“disconnects” along the route where trail users may

need to use streets or sidewalks. A multi-year project

is underway to eliminate and/or minimize these disconnects. Future plans for the Flint River Trail include

the creation of more, directional signs, improved crossing

signs, identified trail entrances, benches for relaxing, and

much more.

What is the Flint River Trail project?

The Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Health

Improvement Committee seeks to promote new

attitudes toward health and well-being. The focus of the

committee is to promote healthy lifestyles in Genesee

County, including reducing sedentary lifestyles.

Contact the Greater Flint Health Coalition at (810) 232-2228 for more information.

The Flint River Trail

Stephany Diana

c/o Mott Community College

1401 E. Court St.

Flint Michigan 48503

Phone: (810) 232.31.61

Visit us on the web

at www.edtech.mcc.edu//ffrt

• Be careful

crossing

roadways and

other places where

motorized vehicles are present.

• Use crosswalks with signals where available.

• Walking/running/biking with a friend or in a

small group is always safer and more fun.

• Drink plenty of water before, during, and

after physical activity.

• Wear a helmet when biking or rollerblading.

• Bicyclists yield to all users.

• Stay to the right on the trail. If passing other

users from behind, announce your approach

and pass on the left.

• Please move off the trail when stopping to

enjoy the view or to rest.

• Check with your doctor before you begin

any fitness program.

• Do not exceed your physical capacities.

Tips for Safe and Courteous Trail Use

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F l i n t R i ve r

T R A I L

RunWalkBike

EscapeExplore

Where can I access the Flint River Trail?

The Flint River Trail can be easily accessed on foot or by bicycle from many

neighborhoods in Flint. If you are coming from outside of the city, the trail can be accessed from I-475 at Robert T. Longway (Exit 8B if coming from the North, exit 8A if coming from the South) or Carpenter Road. Parking is available at the Flint City Market, Kearsley or Veterans Park, or Bluebell Beach. See the map above for more information about points of entry.

Saginaw

Saginaw

Sag

inaw

Robert T Longway

Pierson

Pierson

Mill

er

Do

rt

Do

rt

S I 4

75

N I

475

E I 69

W I 69

Court

Court

9th8th

E I 69/Dort

W I 69/DortE I 69/Center

Ch

arles

W I 69/Center

Do

rt/S I 475

Court/S

I 475

Belsay/E I 69

Selb

y/S I 475

N I 475/Saginaw

N I 475/S

elby

S I 475/Saginaw

Dort/E I 69

S I

475/

Bro

adw

ay

N I 475/D

ort

N I 475/ S

tever

Genes

Coldwater

Bluegill Boat RampCrossroadsVillage

Bluebell Beach

Stepping Stone Falls

ee Recreation Area

RiveJohnson School

Hampstead Dr.

Pierson

Bran

ch

Bray

Cen

ter

Gen

esee Rd

.

rside Park

Whaley

Utah Street Dam

Park

Kearsley Park

UM-Flint

For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum

Kearsley Lake Golf Course

Vietnam Veterans Park

Pierce Park Golf Course

Mott Community College

Longway Park

Bonner Park

Cook Park

plewood

Aldrich Park

Layton Park

Brennan Park

River Bank Park

Cook Park/Perani Arena

Boroughs Park

ure Area

Berston Park

Atwood Stadium

Woodlawn Park

Memorial Park

Willson Park

McKinley Park Thread Lake

East Street Park

3rd Ave.

5th Ave.

to KetteringUniversity

DOWNTOWNFLINT

0 0.75 1.50.5Miles

Map supplied Courtesy of the Center for Applied Environmental Research; UM-Flint

CITY OF GENESEE

Ap

Kearsley St.

Dayton Park

Cultural Center

Carpenter Rd.

Leith

Garfield

Hamilton Ave.

Stewart Ave.

W. Boulevard Dr.

E. Boule

vard

Dr.

Behindwater plant

Jam

es P

. Co

le

Lew

is

Western

Rd

.

Davison Rd.

Saginaw

Saginaw

Sag

inaw

Robert T Longway

Pierson

Pierson

Mill

er

Do

rt

Do

rt

S I 4

75

N I

475

E I 69

W I 69

Court

Court

9th8th

E I 69/Dort

W I 69/DortE I 69/Center

Ch

arles

W I 69/Center

Do

rt/S I 475

Court/S

I 475

Belsay/E I 69

Selb

y/S I 475

N I 475/Saginaw

N I 475/S

elby

S I 475/Saginaw

Dort/E I 69

75/B

road

way

N I 475/D

ort

N I 475/ S

te

Genes

Coldwater

CrossroadsVillage

Bluebell Beach

Stepping Stone Falls

ee Recreation Area

RiveJohnson School

Hampstead Dr.

Pierson

Bran

ch

Bray

Cen

ter

Gen

esee Rd

.

rside Park

Whaley

Utah Street Dam

Park

Kearsley Park

UM-Flint

UM-Flint

For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum

Kearsley Lake Golf Course

Vietnam Veterans Park

Pierce Park Golf Course

Mott Community College

Longway Park

Bonner Park

Cook Park

plewood

Aldrich Park

Layton Park

Brennan Park

Ri

Cook Park/Perani Arena

ure Area

Berston Park

Woodlawn Park

Memorial Park

Willson Park

McKinley Park Thread Lake

3rd Ave.

5th Ave.

to KetteringUniversity

DOWNTOWNFLINT

0 0.75 1.50.5Miles

Map supplied Courtesy of the Center for Applied Environmental Research; UM-Flint

CITY OF GENESEE

Ap

Kearsley St.

Dayton Park

Longway

Jam

es P

. Co

leE

ast B

lvd

Dri

ve

Carpenter Rd.

Leith

Garfield

Hamilton Ave.

Stewart Ave.

W.Boulevard Dr.

E. Boule

vard

Dr.

Behindwater plant

Jam

es P

. Co

le

Lew

is

Western

Rd

.

Davison Rd.

Cultural Center

F l i n t R i ve r

T R A I L

TRAIL KEY

Restrooms

Dining

Parking

Picnic Area

Trail Continues on Street

Proposed Trail

Trail

The Flint River Trail

KEARSLEY PARK LOOPFarmers ̓Market to Gilkey Creek .6 milesKearsley Creek to Longway Blvd. 1.0 miles (Via Dayton and Kearsley Parks) Longway Blvd. to Farmers ̓Market 1.4 miles (Via Kearsley Street) Complete Loop 3.0 miles

EAST SIDE OF RIVERUM Bridge to Farmers ̓Market .4 milesFarmers ̓Market to Hamilton Ave. .7 milesHamilton Ave. to Dort Hwy. 1.6 milesDort Hwy. To Johnson School 1.1 milesUM Bridge to Johnson School 3.8 miles

WEST SIDE OF RIVERUM Bridge to Hamilton Ave. 1.2 milesHamilton Ave. to Dort Hwy. 1.6 milesDort Hwy. to Carpenter Rd. 2.0 milesCarpenter Rd. to Bluebell Beach 1.1 milesUM Bridge to Bluebell Beach 5.9 miles

Bike Rides at Farmers ̓MarketEvery Sunday at 2:00pm, May - October