Pere Marquette Rail-Trail 

Research Study

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The Pere Marquette Rail-Trail (PMRT) is a 28 mile paved trail that traverses Midland and Isabella Counties in the central part of Michigan.  This trail offers world-class opportunities for biking, in-line skating, walking, and other activities.  In 1999, the Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources at Michigan State University received an Enhancement Grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation - Nonmotorized Unit primarily spending federal funds to study the benefit of a rail-trail.  The study began in fall, 1999 and will commence in winter, 2001/2002.  This web site provides a summary of the research results.

NEW - Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails research findings.  This presentation was made by Christine Vogt at the first "Designing Healthy Livable Communities" conference held on May 22, 2003 at the Kellogg Conference Center on Michigan State's campus.  Data on trail users, including residents and tourists, are featured.

Findings

Conference Presentations and Papers

Research Team

Pictures of Trail & Users

Video Information

Research Project Advisory Team:

Mike Eberlein, Michigan Department of Transportation

Joe Fridgen, Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources, Michigan State University

Bill Gibson and Paul Pounders, Midland County Parks and Recreation Department

Todd Kauffman, Michigan Department of Transportation

Sue Ann Kopmeyer, Isabella County Parks and Recreation Commission

Nancy Krupiarz, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Michigan Field Office

See also National Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Lucinda Means, The League of Michigan Bicyclists

Barbara Nelson-Jameson, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, National Park Service

See also National Park Service, National Center for Recreation and Conservation

Phil Wells, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

See also Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Networking Michigan with Trailways

Research conducted by:

Please contact Christine Vogt (vogtc@msu.edu, Phone (517) 353-0793 x 128) with any questions or comments.