TART Trail and Grand Traverse: Expanding Safe Routes and Trails |
Coverage of Grand Traverse Safe Routes and the Three Mile Trail extension |
The landscape of East Bay Township is set to change dramatically, with Grand Traverse Safe Routes gaining renewed focus as new projects break ground.
Area leaders hope these changes will make a real difference in the daily routines of families, commuters, and anyone looking for safer, more connected places to walk or bike.
Planning commissioners are currently reviewing a mixed-use development set for US-31, between iconic Traverse City State Park and a longtime hotel hub.
Developers propose a new hotel, 110 apartments, a restaurant, retail space, and amenities like pools and roof decks—signaling a bolder, community-forward vision for the busy corridor.
The site has a complex history, with earlier hotel deals falling through, but this plan emphasizes public amenities and mixed uses tailored to locals as much as visitors.
Conversations about a future pedestrian bridge over US-31 have resurfaced, with township staff showing strong interest in improving both north-south and east-west connections.
Yet, the most immediate excitement centers on the Grand Traverse Safe Routes and Three Mile Trail extension underway this summer.
Construction includes a 1.6-mile separated trail for walkers and cyclists along Three Mile and Hammond roads—a move expected to improve daily safety for thousands of students and neighbors.
ADA-compliant crossings, added beacons, and speed reduction zones highlight a serious investment in active transportation for all ages.
The plan links homes, schools, businesses, and parks to a blossoming web of regional paths, with the TART Trail now set to expand deeper into the township, especially through the cherished Mitchell Creek Meadows Nature Preserve.
Upcoming civic spaces—like a planned plaza at East Bay Corners with spots for picnics, bike repairs, and nature viewing—aim to turn key trailheads into popular gathering points.
Local residents have voiced both excitement and concern over changes—applauding access and economic opportunity, but wary about traffic disruptions and neighborhood character.
Looking ahead, the TART Trail team continues to rally financial support for the next phase, with further extensions and connections promising to reshape how people experience the waterfront, downtown, and the township itself. |
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A plaza for picnics sounds nice.
Sandy M.Yeah, I think that will be a great addition for families. Hopefully they have enough shady spots for summer afternoons.
We're excited about the planned plaza too, it's designed to be welcoming for everyone to relax, picnic, and enjoy nature right at a key trailhead.
hope the new trail isn’t too busy near the school in the morning
That’s a great point, the new trail includes safety features like speed reduction zones and beacons to help manage traffic and keep school areas safer during busy times.
Love seeing more trails going in.
Thank you! Community support has been tremendous, and each new trail helps connect more neighborhoods and parks across the township.