The Greenways Site Inventory Procedure 

Method of Inventory
Selecting sites to incorporate into the Northeast Michigan Coastal Greenway Project was a combination of several strategies aimed at including as many available resources as possible.  The scope of the Project was to establish a corridor or linkage between open spaces and existing ecological, recreational, cultural, and/or historic sites and areas.  In order to identify these features throughout the Greenway area, the study team involved multiple municipalities, public officials, private citizens, public documents and private publications.  Several public meetings were convened during the study to develop a site information form, introduce proposed sites, correct and edit entries for identified sites, and to discover new ecological and natural resource opportunities.  By involving as many different points of view and resources as possible, a comprehensive set of sites were included in the project, sites that can serve a wider range of recreational and environmental values, interests and activities.


Many meetings were conducted throughout the planning process

 
Site Inventory Sheet and Data Base Development
The selection and research of individual sites was based upon criteria established within the Site Inventory Data Form.  These forms were designed to help participants in the study identify potential site values and characteristics, and ensure that information recorded was consistent for all sites identified.  Each form assigned a unique identification number for every site for the purpose of linking the information to a computer map.  The sites were then classified into three broad categories representing the primary site value: Ecological, Recreational, or Recreational and Ecological.  Each was then further described by ownership or access status.  Additional information, when available, was recorded regarding the unique characteristics of the site (for example, wildlife viewing, available parking, length of a trail, or the handicapped accessibility of a facility).  A sample of the site inventory form used to collect the site information is displayed in the Appendix.

Wildlife, such as this Sandhill Crane, can be see along
many of the trails throughout the Huron Watershed 

The process of inventorying greenways sites started through listing well- known locations in the study area.  These were recorded and verified using a variety of publications and documents including:
  • Michigan DNR Public Boat Launch Directory
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  • Michigan Historic Preservation Network Sweetwater Trail Guide
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  • Mackinac State Historic Parks Directory
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  • Northeast Michigan Golf Planner
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  • MDNR Michigan Harbors Guide
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  • Northeast Michigan Travel Planner
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  • MDNR State Forests Guide
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  • MDOT Transportation Map
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  • MDNR State Parks Guide
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  • Northern Tip of Michigan Universal Map
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  • MDNR Michigan Resource Information System
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  • Harrisville Township Recreation Plan
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  • Northern Highlands of Michigan Universal Map
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  • Alpena Township Recreation Plan
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  • City of Alpena Recreation Plan
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  • Presque Isle Township Recreation Plan
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  • Rogers City Recreation Plan
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  • Village of Mackinac City Master Plan
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    Following the initial collection of data from these resources, the data inventory sheets were then compiled.  They were reviewed during a public meeting where corrections and additions were recorded.  Subsequently, the site data base was revised accordingly.  The updated set of data forms were then separated into their respective townships and cities to organize them for a direct mailing.  Every township supervisor, city manager, and selected county representatives within the Greenway Coastal Zone received the site inventory forms within their jurisdiction.  They were invited to review the forms detailing sites in their municipality to verify the accuracy and completeness of each.  They were also asked to include any additional sites that may have been overlooked in the first two review stages. 

    Once a complete set of inventory forms was compiled, a final computer database was creating using a Geographic Information System (GIS).  A GIS is a computer mapping system connected the graphic features on a map to site information collected from the site inventory forms within the database.  The integrated Geographic Information System provides an excellent analytical tool for asking questions and finding answers.  This GIS enables the study team to analyze different relationships between sites as well as to classify the sites into any category included on the site inventory forms.  It is possible, for example, to distinguish between privately owned sites and publicly owned sites.  Sites can be sorted by size category, available facilities, or geographic location.  A series of maps could be generated for any given set of characteristics available from the inventory form. 


    Starting the mapping process by putting information into a database
     

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    PROJECT LOCATION MAP

    Major Public Use Areas
    During the process of inventory, over 210 sites were entered into the greenways data base, see Appendix.  The high number of potential greenways sites in coastal Northeast Michigan is impressive, but so to are the number of significantly large sites.  Listed below are the inventoried sites greater than 360 acres in size (listed south to north).
    Inventoried Sites County 
    Negwegon State Park Alcona County
    Spring Hills Golf Course Alcona County
    Greenbush Golf Course Alcona County
    Huron National Forest Alcona County
    Wildlife Sanctuary Alpena County
    Ossineke Pathway Alpena County
    Rockport Property Alpena County
    Thunder Bay Island Alpena County
    Devil's Lake Wildlife Flooding Alpena County
    Devil's Lake Snowmoile Trails Alpena County
    Norway Ridge Pathway Alpena County
    Mackinaw State Forest Alpena County
    Great Lakes Bottomland Preserve Alpena County
    Presque Isle Harbor Development Presque Isle County
    Thompson's Harbor State Park Presque Isle County
    Herman Voger Conservancy Area Presque Isle County
    Mackinaw State Forest Presque Isle County
    Cheboygan State Park Cheboygan County
    Mackinaw State Forest Cheboygan County
    Historic Mill Creek State Park Cheboygan County

    Additionally, at least 16 additional site are in the 40 to 360 acre size category, including several important nature preserves, state parks and historic properties.  The northeast Michigan Coastal area is indeed blessed with a wealth of greenway resources.
     
     

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    HURON GREENWAYS

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