Frankenmuth

16 Situated near the base of Michigan's thumb, The Cass River Water Trail is part of the Saginaw Bay Watershed. It meanders for 37.5 miles between two counties and 6 townships, featuring 13 access sites and 2 portages. The trail begins in Tuscola County at the M-46 Bridge to Vassar and then goes f rom Vassar to Tuscola. It enters Saginaw County on the Tuscola to Frankenmuth section. From downtown Frankenmuth, paddlers head to Hoff man Park in Bridgeport, followed by Davis Park. The final two trips f rom Davis Park to the M-13 Boat launch and f rom M-13 to Wickes Park in Saginaw, include a paddle through the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Paddle times vary, depending on the user and conditions and the Trail's website offers 8 different suggested trips along with details regarding what to expect f rom each section. The website also offers maps, estimated times per trip and a virtual tour of each section. The trail is unique in its offering a diverse mix of opportunities f rom a quiet rural landscape to some small rapids and a resort experience of downtown Frankenmuth. It also features multiple unique bridge crossings and a unique view of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge that connects to the urban park experience where it ends in Wickes Park. The Cass River Water Trail was created by a working group of the Cass River Greenways, which is an effort by a local group of volunteers assisted by professional resources and municipal leaders, working to enhance recreational opportunities and the environmental well-being of the Cass River Corridor with a focus on three goals: recreation, habitat, and water quality. The Water Trail group has been working on the development of a plan, inf rastructure, appropriate signage, and marketing for more than 7 years. The group applied for the Michigan DNR's state water trail designation and while that application is still being processed, the DNR named the Cass River Water Trail a Pure Michigan Water Trail at the 2023 Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism. Leaders f rom the Cass River Water Trail Committee as the Frankenmuth Chamber/CVB were on-hand to accept the award. The marketing of the trail will continue to increase with this new opportunity. Jamie Furbush, President/CEO, of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce & CVB, said "It's been an honor to work with Bob Zeilinger and Bill Zehnder and their passionate group of volunteers over the years and to finally see the Trail be recognized is an exciting step." She added, "Whatever trip you choose, I encourage everyone to get out and experience our community and our neighbors through this ref reshing recreational vantage point." Saturday morning, June 17th, all are invited to participate in the 11th Annual Paddle & Swim event on the Cass River. This casual gathering includes paddlers starting in Tuscola around 9/9:30am. The 5-mile paddle ends in Heritage Park, generally around 12-12:30pm. The relay swim (wetsuits encouraged) happens in the same stretch with pontoon boats coasting alongside the swimmers for breaks. Paddlers looking for a longer ride begin earlier in Vassar, adding 5.7 additional miles on their trip. For more information or details, email Lori Payne at lpayne@bavarianinn.com. The Frankenmuth Parks & Recreation department is also planning a new event later in the summer of 2023. Visit www.cassriverwatertrail.org or Frankenmuth.org for more details as they are announced. Photo Credit - MEDC The Cass River Water Trail named: Pure Michigan Water Trail

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