Happy Trails

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks completed a multi-year project on a mountain biking/hiking trail system within Stony Creek Metropark using partner- and user-guided construction and featuring accessibility improvements. The trails have been extended and naturally surfaced.

“The project was originally envisioned as being volunteer led, but the more we got into the project and the more we understood the great need for the project in the region, the Metroparks understood we needed to step up and provide additional resources and expertise to develop it into the world-class trail system it is today,” says Metroparks director Amy McMillan. “The project included redeveloping existing trails to improve user experience, accessibility, trail surface condition and signage and included also creating new trail segments, a beginner loop (Grom trail), a handcycle-accessible trail and new mountain bike obstacles.”

The Shelden Trails were not originally designed as a multi-use trail system, so throughout the project, the Metroparks have been working closely with trail users, partners and mountain biking partner organization Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association, to provide input on the wants and needs of regular users of the trails. The Shelden Trails Redevelopment Project cost just over $812,000 and began in 2018. It was supported by Metroparks budget dollars and a long list of partners and donors.

Stony Creek Metropark is located at 4300 Main Park Dr., Shelby Township. For more information about the Shelden Trails, visit Metroparks.com/sheldentrails/.