Parks

Clinton River Trail 

Phone: 248-656-4673

(4.5-mile non-motorized recreational trail) 


The following information is made available to you in Adobe Acrobat format.  If your browser does not already have the Acrobat Reader plug-in that is required to view these documents, please click here to access a free copy of the software.

 Clinton River Trail Map

Description

The Clinton River Trail roughly parallels and frequently crosses the Clinton River and travels nearly 16 miles through Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Pontiac, and Sylvan Lake.  The 4.5-mile portion of the trail running through Rochester Hills bisects the city from the southwest to the northeast along a former railroad right-of-way.  The habitat along this portion of the trail is unique in its diversity and creates many opportunities to view and enjoy a host of wildlife species.  Deer are common in the brush, muskrats and mink can be seen in the many wetlands, and the oak forests are home to numerous other mammals and birds.  This trail is an important wildlife corridor and links the centrally located Avon Nature Study Area to Riverbend Park in the west and Bloomer Park in the east, all of which provide access to the Clinton River.

The trail also borders the city's Environmental Education Center and Avon Nature Area, providing opportunities for visitors to appreciate and understand the surrounding natural environment, learn more about the diverse ecosystem found in our community, and enjoy programs covering wetland studies, fly fishing, bird watching, night hikes, and summer camp nature walks.

The Clinton River Trail is a non-motorized transportation route that links to the West Bloomfield Trail to the west, the Paint Creek Trail to the north, and the Macomb Orchard Trail to the east, permitting easy access to community parks, businesses, green spaces, and other existing recreational and cultural sites. 

History

After the Canadian National Railroad decided to abandon the railroad right-of-way within the cities of Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Pontiac, and Sylvan Lake, the GreenWays Initiative became an important catalyst that encouraged the five communities to communicate on topics from obtaining grant funding for the purchase of this greenway corridor to working together on a master plan for the entire trail running through Oakland County.  Key local groups including the Clinton River Watershed Council, Friends of the Clinton River Trail, Oakland Land Conservancy, and the Rochester/Avon Historical Society partnered together to encourage residents, local government, businesses, and other organizations to promote the Clinton River Trail corridor as a unique and valuable open space, protect its water resources, enhance recreation, and preserve and interpret its historic resources. 

After the City of Rochester Hills entered into negotiations to purchase the 4.5-mile parcel of railroad property in our community, Mayor Pat Somerville successfully whittled the original price of $5.5 million down to $3.35 million and closed on the property on May 28, 2002.  The purchase was funded through a $250,000 GreenWays Initiative grant, a $1,900,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, and the balance from the Rochester Hills Capital Improvement Fund.  While the grants were being secured, the City worked closely with the Trust for Public Land, allowing them to purchase this parcel of land and hold it in trust for the City of Rochester Hills until all the funding was finalized. 

The GreenWays Initiative provided another $75,000 pre-development grant in 2002 to complete the Clinton River Trail Master Plan for the five-community Clinton River Trail Alliance.  An additional $400,000 grant award in 2003 from the Michigan Department of Transportation began the initial phase of the trail's development within Rochester Hills with the construction of a bridge over the Clinton River behind Rochester College, improvements to the wooden trestle bridge behind City Hall, and intersection improvements at every location where the trail crosses a roadway in our city. 

By summer 2007, the trail length was graded and surfaced with recycled pulverized asphalt and opened to the public.  By November 2007, the river overlook loop was completed with a donation from the Rochester Rotary group.  Signage has also been installed along the trail marking the July 2006 discovery of American Mastodon bones during a construction project near Adams Road. 

As additional funding becomes available, the next improvements will include rest areas, interpretive signage, and side trails leading to scenic views, sensitive geologic formations, and access areas to the river.

Rochester Rotary River Overlook

This is the latest enhancement to the Clinton River Trail ... from sketch to completion.  Thanks to a donation from the Rochester Rotary group, there is now a beautiful loop off the Clinton River Trail that overlooks the river and provides a restful and scenic turnoff.  This wooded refuge offers benches for viewing the Clinton River, quiet reflection, and just a place to relax.  It is located at Mile Marker #4, north of the Hamlin Road entrance.

Clinton River Trail Surfacing

Crews have completed the surfacing of the 4.5-mile segment of the Clinton River Trail in Rochester Hills and it is open to the public.   The trail now has a smooth 10' wide riding surface and 2' wide shoulders to accommodate walkers, joggers, and bicyclists.    

 By using salvaged asphalt from the Shadow Woods paving project, the city was able to save $300,000 over the original estimate for surfacing this length of the trail.   The used asphalt was ground up, pulverized, placed 4 inches deep on the trail, and rolled to make a smooth surface.  This final phase completes the project that began with new bridges over the Clinton River and behind City Hall, intersection improvements at all the road crossings, pedestrian islands constructed to make the road crossings safer, and a vault toilet facility installed by Veterans Memorial Pointe just east of Livernois.

 

While the surfacing is completed and the trail is open, final cleanup is taking place.  Additional amenities, including signage, benches, and trashcans, will be added later this summer.  The public is invited to give this new surface a try and to send all comments to email.

 

Bridge and Intersection Improvements

Phase I development of the Clinton River Trail project in Rochester Hills is complete.  This phase included the construction of the new 100-foot steel truss bridge behind Rochester College, the resurfacing of the wooden trestle bridge behind City Hall, and major roadway improvements at Crooks Road, Hamlin Road, Livernois Road, and Avon Road at the trail/road intersections.  Refuge islands were constructed on Livernois Road and Avon Road to assist trail users in safe crossings of these roadways.  This Phase I of development was made possible through a $400,000 grant by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration as well as the Capital Improvement Fund of Rochester Hills.  Resurfacing the 4.5 miles of trail in Rochester Hills will be the next phase of development once additional funding becomes available.

The wood trestle bridge has been retrofitted and resurfaced. 

Pedestrian refuge island, trail realignment, and road crossing improvements on Avon Road.

Biking / Hiking

By the end of July 2007, the pulverized asphalt surfacing should be completed and the trail made available to walkers, runners and bicyclists. 

Hikers should use caution on the rocky surface and should wear boots with good ankle support if they wish to use the trail before resurfacing takes place.

Fishing

The trail will create access to the Clinton River.  One is likely to catch a variety of fish from rainbow trout to largemouth bass and northern pike (DNR regulations will apply).

Nature Watching

White-tailed deer are common in the brush, muskrats and mink can be seen in the many wetlands, and the oak forests are home to numerous mammals and birds.  Habitat protection will provide opportunities to see great blue herons and kingfishers cruising the shallows.  A quiet and careful observer may also see a fox squirrel and many native birds, including the black-capped chickadee, American goldfinch, and great horned owl.

Pets

Pets will be allowed on a 6' leash and under direct control of the owner.  Horses and motorized vehicles are not allowed on any trails in Rochester Hills.

Restrooms / Drinking Fountain

A vault toilet for year-round use is located adjacent to the trail at Veterans Memorial Pointe (Avon /Livernois area).  A drinking fountain, with jug filler, is available at Veterans Memorial Pointe as well.  Other facilities will be considered at future staging areas along the trail.

Clinton River Trail Master Plan

Clinton River Trail Master Plan

Other Links

Friends of the Clinton River Trail
Oakland County Trails & Pathways Map
Paint Creek Trail Website
Paint Creek Trail Map