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Alpena Bi-Path



The Bi-Path is an urban jewel built by the City of Alpena. In addition to some nice city- scapes, it features pleasing scenery along Lake Huron and the Thunder Bay River. Almost flat, it is all paved and suitable for all uses and is mostly dedicated. About ten miles in length, it consists of one great loop and several spurs or connections that add potential distance and variety to the route. Many civic attractions are linked together by the trail. There are also several conveniently spaced parks and potential trailheads along the way with parking and restrooms. Amenities are numerous in most areas. There are also good opportunities for loop rides on local roads that come into or across the bi-path.  Snowmobiles are prohibited.

In 2007, the City began expansion of the Bi-Path into the northern part of town to connect parks, schools and other attractions and add several additional miles of trail. Two extensions were completed in the fall of 2007: The first runs from North Riverfront Park along Fletcher Street to the NOAA Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The second runs along the Thunder Bay River from Ninth Avenue to the Bi-Path at Fletcher Street and includes a bridge to Rotary Park.

 

Trail Surface: asphalt
Horses: Not Permitted
Snowmobiles: Not Permitted

 

Symbols

  • T= Trailhead
  • P= Parking
  • R= Restrooms
  • A= Amenities

South Riverfront Park to Riverside Skate Park

SOUTH RIVERFRONT PARK (T P R A) TO RIVERSIDE SKATE PARK. The first segment starts near City Hall and behind the National Guard armory.  0.8miles long, it heads upstream along the Thunder Bay River in an especiallyurban part of the city.  Riders may wish to explore Rotary Park or La Marre Park before crossing the Ninth Avenue Bridge to the Skate Park where there is also parking and restrooms.

Riverside Skate Park to Chisholm Street

RIVERSIDE SKATE PARK (P R) TO CHISHOLM ST.  This scenic 1.2-mile segment stays close to Lake Besser formed by the Ninth Avenue Dam and closely parallels Johnson Street most of the way.  Alpena Community College is across Johnson Street near the end of the segment.

Chisholm Street to Duck Park

CHISHOLM STREET TO DUCK PARK (P R). The 0.5-mile segment continues past Alpena General Hospital across the street to Duck Park, which is a nice trailhead with parking and restrooms.  Take time to walk around nearby Island Park, a pretty area in the spreads of the Thunder Bay River.

Duck Park to Bagley Street

DUCK PARK (T P R) TO BAGLEY STREET tracks east along the north edge of the spreads to Bagley Street.  The 0.95-mile segment is very scenic and runs just south of Long Rapids Road until it cuts sharply southwest to Bagley Street

Bagley Street to Sytek Park

BAGLEY STREET TO SYTEK PARK (P).  This 0.45-mile segment runs along the shoulder of Bagley Street until the dedicated trail resumes to the east just after crossing over the river.  There is parking and a scenic viewing area at Sytek Park.

Sytek Park to Washington Avenue Park

SYTEK PARK TO WASHINGTON AVENUE PARK (P).  This 1.3-mile segment is mostly âœdedicated♠but includes a very short stretch on a road shoulder.  After the first mile, users can follow the main trail or turn left for the first .45 miles of an optional âœbox❠that adds nearly 2-miles to the route.  On the main trail it is .30 miles to Washington Avenue Park where there are parking, restrooms and an information kiosk with a map.  The last short stretch features a beautiful view to the north of the river flowage and wildlife sanctuary.  From here you have an attractive option to head north on 11th Street and into the Alpena County Fairgrounds where the trail hugs the flowage back to CHISHOLM STREET (Highway 23) and left back to DUCK PARK.  This attractive connector is 1.3-miles long.

Washington Avenue Park to Mich-Ke-Wis Park

WASHINGTON AVENUE PARK (P) TO MICH-KE-WIS PARK.  Travel east on Washington Avenue .20 miles and make a sharp right turn onto the sidewalk next to Ripley Street.  Continue 1-mile to Mason Street where you make a left turn followed by a quick jog to the right for the final 0.20-miles across US 23 and into Mich-Ke-Wis  Park on Lake Huron where parking and restrooms are available.  There are also a few short loops within the park for biking and walking.

Mich-Ke-Wis Park to Starlight Beach

MICH-KE-WIS PARK (T P R A) to STARLIGHT BEACH. You can either follow the sidewalk next to Highway 23 or take the dedicated path the short 0.20-miles to Starlight Beach.  Starlight is a full service beach with parking, restrooms, and of course a beautiful view of Lake Huron.

Starlight Beach to Bay View Park

STARLIGHT BEACH (P R A) to BAY VIEW PARK.  This 0.80-mile segment follows the sidewalk along US 23, passing by some nice homes as well as Blair Street Park (P) and Thomson Park (P) en route to Bay View Park. Bay View is a large park with a swimming beach, band shell, and other amenities, and is adjacent to the Alpena Marina and Yacht Club.  You can park your bikes at the end of the pier and walk to the harbor entrance at the end of the break wall. You can either follow the sidewalk next to Highway 23 or take the dedicated path the short 0.20-miles to Starlight Beach.  Starlight is a full service beach with parking, restrooms, and of course a beautiful view of Lake Huron.  Total distance in the park not counting the break wall is 0.35-miles.

Bay View Park to South Riverfront Park

BAY VIEW PARK (T P R A) TO SOUTH RIVERFRONT PARK.  From Bay View Park travel northeast on Harbor Street to Water Street, then turn left and follow Water Street to the National Guard Armory and South Riverfront Park.  On this 0.50-mile segment you complete the main circle of the Bi-Path and return to where you started.

New Additions to Bi-Path

In 2007 a section was completed on the north side of the river.  It starts at an archway on the north side of the river about a block west of the Post Office.  It is paved and will allow access to 9th street and continue on the Bi-Path toward the college.  Another option is to take the new bridge to Rotary Island-Mill Park and back to the south side of the Bi-Path.

The new, north side of the Bi-Path goes past Fletcher Brewery and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on the way to the new pedestrian bridge on 9th street.