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Northern Tier Trail
Don't think you have to head up north to experience some of Michigan's splendor.
The East Lansing Nothern Tier Trail is as close as your own back yard. It connects eight community parks and is accessible from five parking areas in the City. From hiking and jogging, bike riding and rollerblading to leisurely strolls, the Northern Tier Trail has something to offer everyone.
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Beginning in late August 2006, the ever-popular Northern Tier Trail was extended one mile north of the East Lansing Soccer Complex. The new extension streches from the south side of the soccer complex north to State Road. This third phase of the Northern Tier Trail extension has been made possible through a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Natural Resource Trust Fund (40 % of overall funding) and the City of East Lansing (60 % of overall funding).
If you would like more information on East Lansing's Northern Tier Trail please call the Department of Park, Recreation & Arts Facilities at (517) 319-6809.
Fun Facts
- The main spine of the Northern Tier Trail was completed in 1999. Over a three-year period the trail was expanded to include 3.5 miles of trail.
- With the new extension, the existing trail system has been expanded by nearly 30 %, bringing a total of 4.5 miles of fully accessible pathway to the City.
- The Northern Tier Trail provides residents with non-motorized access to eight City parks, including the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, the forested wetland of Abbot Road Park, the East Lansing Soccer Complex and much more.
- The recent one-mile extension provides residents with a new access to the East Lansing pedestrian/bicycle route system.
- The full length of the trail is paved with three inches of asphalt. It is 10 feet wide, allowing different modes of non-motorized transportation adequate room to use the trail.
- With the new extension, the trail now joins a total of four paved and one unpaved parking lots in the City. Trail users can now park at the East Lansing Soccer Complex when using the Northern Tier.
- The Northern Tier Trail acts as a protective buffer for the Sanderson and Remy Chandler
Drains. The Drain system is a key natural feature in this area, and the new extension
has made it possible to protect the full length of these natural corridors.
Directions to Parking Lots
Soccer Complex [View Abbot Road Detour Map]
Chandler Road north to Coleman Road. Coleman Road east 1/4 mile to Soccer Complex entry drive on left. Paved parking.
Abbot Road Park [View Abbot Road Detour Map]
Lake Lansing Road to Abbot Road. Abbot Road north 1/4 mile. Road Park entry drive on left. Gravel parking.
Aquatic Center [View Abbot Road Detour Map]
Lake Lansing Road to Abbot Road. Road north 1/4 mile. Aquatic Center entry drive on right. Paved parking.
East Lansing Fire Station
Saginaw Street to Abbot Road. Abbot Road north 3/4 mile to Fire Station. Parking behind Station. Paved parking.
Harrison Meadows Park
Harrison Road north to Gainsborough Drive. East on Gainsborough Drive to Roxburgh Avenue. North on Roxburgh Avenue to Harrison Meadows Park. Paved parking.