Genesee County Parks adds 2 miles to northern section of Flint River Trail

Located in Genesee Township surrounded by trees and nestled near Mott Lake, Genesee County Parks and Recreation opened its newest section of trail last week — extending the Flint River Trail and adding to the state’s massive 2,000 mile Iron Belle Trail. 

The 2.25-mile section of trail is located just north of the Flint River Trail and Bluebell Beach, running between Genesee and Stanley Roads to Vassar Road. It is located at the trailhead along the east side of the Genesee County Parks Administration building, and the project also included expanding parking there.

The paved, barrier-free, non-motorized trail welcomes bicyclists, walkers and runners with picturesque fall views of hardwood and pine trees. 

The popular Flint River Trail already stretched from Ballenger Highway (where it connects into Flint Township’s Genesee Valley Trail) to Bluegill Boat Launch.

The expanded trail also is part of the Iron Belle Trail, which runs from the western-most part of the Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle. The Department of Natural Resources calls it the state’s “showcase” trail. It uses existing and new trails, goes through hundreds of communities, and crosses through 48 of Michigan’s 82 counties. 

Genesee County Parks constructed the new trail section in cooperation with the Genesee County road and planning commissions. It was funded through a Michigan DNR Trust Fund Grant and funds administered through the county Metropolitan Planning Commission.