The Clinton River Watershed Council announced plans to upgrade the Clinton River water trail, aiming to connect more residents to the 81.5-mile stretch of the river while reinforcing the importance of protecting it.
Upgrades will be completed at kayak launch sites in Oakland and Macomb counties to improve infrastructure and create clearer, safer entry points.
Each year, a handful of the 23 official launch sites — 12 in Oakland County and 11 in Macomb County — along the Clinton River will be upfitted to make the water trail more accessible, visible and safe for the public. Upgrades were determined based on community input and will encourage more environmentally conscious use of the watershed.
The Watershed Council consulted with communities, received results from an online survey and spoke with kayakers to come up with the best ways to upgrade and add amenities where needed throughout all of their public parks and accesses.
“We also held meetings in Oakland and Macomb counties. We compiled all the information and put together a plan along with other goals from the council,” said Watershed Planner Jeffery Schiffman.
The upgrades and additions will be determined in coordination with local parks and recreation departments, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and municipalities.
“We are making sure that if we are going to do an improvement at a certain launch, we are making the improvements that they want,” said Schiffman. “We don’t want to put something in there that the community is not interested in.”
Schiffman also credited the Oakland County Parks Department for helping out.
“Their natural resources group has stepped up with clearing up wood and debris issues and getting it done in an ecologically sound manner which is great,” said Schiffman.
No areas will be closed to the public while work is being done.
“People will still be able to go to their favorite site and put in and take out,” said Schiffman. “None of the work that will be done will interrupt the access points.”
Here is a list of upcoming Oakland County projects:
INNOVATION HILLS – ROCHESTER HILLS
Add a kayak track and rail along walkway
Add kayak rack
EAGLES LANDING – ROCHESTER HILLS
Improve launch area with stone
Add restrooms
Create a developed trail from the parking lot to the launch
DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER LANDING
Add a map to local establishments and nearest restrooms
Add signage
YATES CIDER MILL and PARK – ROCHESTER HILLS
Add rail system for portaging
Add kayak rack
Improve launch area with stone
RIVERSIDE PARK – AUBURN HILLS
Erosion prevention measures throughout the park
Add kayak rack
RIVER WOODS PARK – AUBURN HILLS
Add kayak rack
Increase signage
Make launch more accessible
*MACEDAY LAKE – WATERFORD TWP.
Add picnic tables
Create universal launch
Add kayak rack
Increase signage on road leading up to launch
*LAKE OAKLAND – WATERFORD TWP.
Add picnic tables
Add kayak rack
Upgrade signage
*LOON LAKE – WATERFORD TWP.
Upgrade signage
Add picnic tables
Add kayak rack
FISH HATCHERY PARK – WATERFORD TWP.
Stabilize shortline
Add stone steps leading to launch
Add kayak rack
CLINTON RIVER CANOE – WATERFORD TWP.
Stabilize shoreline with native wetland plants
Improve launch area with stone
DODGE PARK #4 (CASS LAKE) – WATERFORD TWP.
Remove invasive species
Add more park maps
Add kayak rack
(*) = Any chances will require DNR approval/cooperation
Innovation Hills Park is a 110-acre public park located along West Hamlin Road near the western edge of the of Rochester Hills. It is among 12 parks in Oakland County the CRSC will be upgrading.
Photo courtesy CRSC
Here is the list of upcoming Macomb County projects:
RIVERBENDS PARK – RYAN ROAD CROSSING – SHELBY TWP.
More parking, trailer turn-around space, and further plantings
Add kayak rack
DOWNTOWN UTICA
Developed path from parking area to river, kayak trailer parking,
Add kayak rack
improved launch area
HERITAGE PARK – UTICA
Kayak rack
Universal launch parallel to river flow
NORTH CLINTON RIVER PARK – STERLING HEIGHTS
Kayak Rack
DODGE PARK – STERLING HEIGHTS
Kayak rail/track
Kayak rack
Railing down stone steps
ROTARY PARK – STERLING HEIGHTS
Add seat back to universal launch
Restroom building
Kayak rack
BUDD PARK – CLINTON TWP.
Removal invasive species
Add a developed trail from the gravel road to the launch
Kayak rack
Stone launch
GEORGE GEORGE PARK – CLINTON TWP.
Native plant landscaping to stabilize along the sides of the launch
SHADYSIDE PARK – MOUNT CLEMENS
Add something in between level for dock to make it closer to water so it is easier to get into kayaks
Kayak rack
Warning about weir at the launch
NEIL E. DEMPSEY AT MACARTHUR – MOUNT CLEMENS
Add railings/bumpers to the launch to prevent rolling/ stepping off
Kayak rack
*HARLEY ENSIGN – HARRISON TWP.
Picnic tables
Shade area
Universal launch
Kayak rack