A Growing Greenway: Notes From KI Sawyer
Once a quiet and underused area, the corridor around Silver Lead Creek is becoming a connected, vibrant place where residents will soon walk, bike, gather, and enjoy nature.
Envisioning a New Community Space
The transformation began in June 2023, when the Marquette County Planning Division submitted a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Spark Grant program. By December 2023, the project was awarded nearly $1 million, providing full funding to revitalize Little Trout Lake Park and support accessibility, safety, and recreation upgrades.
In early 2024, Northern Design Works was contracted to guide planning and design. Throughout that year, the project team conducted site analyses, developed plans, and coordinated removal of blighted structures and an unsafe bridge over Silver Lead Creek. These changes opened up the landscape and prepared the site for new amenities and trail connections.
Progress Through 2025
The project entered a new phase in spring 2025, when construction bids opened and MJ VanDamme Trucking, Inc. was awarded the contract for the first phase of the Greenway. On June 24, 2025, the county announced that construction had officially begun.
Work is now underway on the first major trail segment along Scorpion Street, linking the local elementary school directly to Little Trout Lake Park. Simultaneously, the park itself is undergoing significant upgrades, including new pathways, a pavilion, accessible routes, space for community events, and improved infrastructure. The park remains closed during active construction for safety reasons.
Community Engagement
In October 2025, approximately two dozen volunteers gathered for a community cleanup along Silver Lead Creek. Participants removed debris from the creek and nearby areas, marking one of the first community-led activities within the developing greenway corridor. The cleanup also enhanced stream health and prepared the area for future restoration efforts.
Why This Work Matters
The Silver Lead Creek Greenway and Little Trout Lake Park projects offer benefits that extend far beyond physical improvements. The new trail system will provide safe, walkable, and bikeable connections between neighborhoods, the school, and recreational areas—an important asset in rural communities.
The revitalized park will serve as a central gathering point, with recreational amenities, social spaces, family-friendly features, and infrastructure designed to support community wellness. Environmental stewardship is also a key focus: restoring streamside habitat and integrating recreation with natural features ensures that area resources are preserved while becoming more accessible.
Together, these projects represent long-term investment in community identity, well-being, and sustainability—a coordinated effort supported by grant funding, county planning, and volunteer involvement.
Project Timeline
- June 26, 2023: Grant application submitted to the Michigan DNR Spark Grant program.
- December 2023: Spark Grant awarded for $997,000.
- February 2024: Northern Design Works contracted for design and construction management.
- 2024: Site analysis, plan development, and removal of old structures and unsafe bridge.
- October 17, 2024: Public community meeting to review project plans and gather feedback.
- Early 2025: Project plans submitted to the Michigan DNR for review and approval.
- April–May 2025: Bidding period for construction; Phase One contract awarded to MJ VanDamme Trucking, Inc.
- June 18–24, 2025: Official start of construction; work begins on Scorpion Street trail and park renovations.
- October 2025: Community-led Silver Lead Creek cleanup event.
- By October 15, 2025 (expected): Completion of first trail segment along Scorpion Street.
- 2025–2026: Ongoing construction of full park revitalization and Phase One greenway trail (~3 miles).
- Phase Two (2026): Additional trail miles and neighborhood connections, pending funding.
- Target Completion: October 31, 2026.
Looking Ahead
By 2026, the Silver Lead Creek Greenway and the rejuvenated Little Trout Lake Park are expected to become fully functional community assets—providing trails, gathering spaces, recreation opportunities, accessibility improvements, and new ways for residents to connect with nature and one another.