Fenton, MI — It was a perfect fall day in Fenton to celebrate the opening of the new ChoiceOne Bank Trail, creating an important new connection from the City of Linden through Fenton Township to the City of Fenton.
The opening represents years of planning, community input and collaboration, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this trail a reality. Most importantly, the occasion was an opportunity to recognize the vision of the late Victor Lukasavitz, whose commitment to expanding trails and recreational opportunities helped move this project forward. His legacy will live on every time a resident walks, runs or rides along this trail.
For more than a decade, residents have consistently identified this connection as a priority through public hearings, community forums, and regional planning efforts. The corridor has remained a priority trail in the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Non-Motorized Plan, reflecting the strong public interest in creating safe, accessible connections between our communities.
The ChoiceOne Bank Trail includes approximately two miles of 10-foot-wide asphalt trail, along with wooden pathway sections designed to bridge low-lying areas. Beginning at Triangle Park in the City of Linden, the trail travels east along the south side of Silver Lake Road through Fenton Township before reaching Jennings Road, where it connects with the City of Fenton’s existing sidewalk system.
This is another huge step toward building a more connected Genesee County, giving residents additional opportunities to walk, bike, exercise, enjoy the outdoors and travel between communities.
Ridgway White, President and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, spoke at Tuesday’s event about how this trail fits into a long-term plan to connect all of Genesee County. White shared his goal that, in five years, all communities in Genesee County will be connected by trails.
To that end, as the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation marks its 100th anniversary in 2026, it has committed up to $25 million over the next five years to expand and connect nonmotorized trails and sidewalks throughout Genesee County.
Thank you to ChoiceOne Bank, our local communities, planning partners, project supporters and everyone whose time, advocacy and hard work helped bring this vision to life. We are proud to celebrate this milestone together.
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