Bill Text: MI HR0165 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to declare September 22-29, 2019, as Michigan Trails Week in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 39-6)
Status: (Passed) 2019-09-19 - Adopted [HR0165 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0165-Introduced.html
house resolution no.165
Reps. Coleman, Brixie, Bolden, Haadsma, Cambensy, Hope, Love, Wittenberg, Garza, Hammoud, Cynthia Johnson, Shannon, Stone, Pohutsky, Sowerby, Koleszar, Manoogian, Sneller, Pagan, Greig, Garrett, Sabo, Anthony, Chirkun, Clemente, Guerra, Witwer, Tyrone Carter, Rabhi, Kennedy, Elder, Hertel, Lasinski, Cherry, Warren, Webber, Brann, Griffin, Tate, VanSingel and Robinson offered the following resolution:
A resolution to declare September 22-29, 2019, as Michigan Trails Week in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, Michigan’s wealth of trails provides an abundance of opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy our state’s spectacular natural resources. Michigan is known as The Trails State because of the more than 12,500 miles of designated land trails and 4,280 miles of locally-designated water trails; and
Whereas, The state’s trail system is the result of a successful partnership between state agencies, local trails groups, local units of government, non-profit organizations, and businesses all over the state coming together to connect communities and people; and
Whereas, Our trail systems are designed to accommodate both motorized and nonmotorized in appropriate areas to allow for a variety of uses and, through a carefully-designed master plan, will continue to reflect emerging trail needs in the state while also striving to meet the number one recreational need of citizens for more miles of trails at the local level; and
Whereas, Destination trails continue to be an emerging need to attract both residents and out-of-state visitors; and
Whereas, Great Lake-to-Lake Trails Route #1 will be the state’s first fully-marked destination trail stretching from South Haven to Port Huron. When ultimately completed, the Iron Belle Trail, stretching from Belle Isle in Detroit to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula, will also be a destination trail and one of the longest such trails in the nation; and
Whereas, The state’s trails and trail towns are prominently featured in the new Pure Michigan Trail Designation program that will be helpful in promoting the state’s specially-designated trails. Our state’s trail system plays a significant role in strengthening Michigan’s economy and supporting thousands of jobs, primarily through small-business owners; and
Whereas, The state’s trail system provides residents with broad access to a low-cost, accessible, and enjoyable way to improve health and reduce obesity; and
Whereas, Trail-related activities, including hiking, walking, snowmobiling, running, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, paddling and using off-road vehicles, are among the most popular and growing means of outdoor enjoyment; and
Whereas, The state of Michigan hosts more than 5,000 miles of hiking trails designed for walkers, hikers, trails runners, and other outdoor enthusiasts to explore the state’s natural areas, including 1,200 miles of the nation’s longest National Scenic Trail, the North Country National Scenic Trail; and
Whereas, Michigan is also known as one of the top states for mountain biking, with an unmatched diversity of trail systems and over 1,600 miles of natural surface trails; and
Whereas, The Department of Natural Resources, working in conjunction with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, has established a new water trail designation process that resulted in eight new water trail designations this past year and will continue to designate new inland water trails in the future; and
Whereas, The existence of quality trails helps to strengthen the appeal of communities by boosting quality-of-life amenities that attract businesses and increase property values. Trails provide alternative, scenic transportation routes that help to decrease road congestion and pollution and serve to connect communities to each other; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 22-29, 2019, as Michigan Trails Week in the state of Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That Michigan’s rich network of trails throughout the Upper and Lower Peninsulas continue to provide residents and visitors with scenic spaces to explore nature, appreciate wildlife, experience solitude, or enjoy time with family and friends.
