Eye on Michigan
Follow us on Twitter for Updates Follow us on Twitter for Updates
  Trails & Bike Routes   Parks & Beaches   City Guides   Free Wallpaper     Home
Midland, Michigan Parks, Trails, Historic Locations & More





Spanning the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers, the Tridge is a unique centerpiece in Midland. The three-pronged bridge connects three parks and serves as a trail connector for the Chippewa Trail and Pere Marquette Trail.

Midland Parks

On the southern shore of the Chippewa River, St. Charles Park is large athletic complex with 12 baseball diamonds and a football field. Parts of the Chippewa Trail meander through the park.

Across the Chippewa River, Chippewassee Park is a favorite for furry friends. The park has excercise parks for large dogs and small dogs. A water fountain is provided near the parking lot closest to the dog parks.

Chippewassee Park also has picnic areas, a large shelter, and a cool playscape with long curvy slides. The Trilogy Skate Park is at Chippewassee Park, and it is one of the nicest skate parks in Michigan. With concrete ramps of various sizes, the park offers skateboarders challenging rides.

Across the Tittabawassee River, the parkland north of the Tridge is home to the Midland Farmers Market and the Gerstacker Spray Ground, a favorite with children during the summer. The park is a trailhead for the Pere Marquette Trail, which takes cyclists through Midland to Sandford and then on to Clare.

Emerson Park is home to Currie Stadium and a couple baseball fields. The park has several picnic shelters and picnic areas, as well as horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, a volleyball court, basketball court, and an inline skating rink. The park is reachable by the Pere Marquette Trail and from the bike route along Main Street. The picnic areas on the south end of the park offer scenic views of the Tittabawassee River.

Grove Park in central Midland is a place to relax. The park has a gazebo, several park benches, and a couple of picnic areas. Grove Park also has a basketball court and a soccer field.

Fournier Park is a narrow park along Patrick Road/M-20. The park has a small playground and a soccer field.

Central Park is home to the Ted Nicholson Band Shell, which has rows of bench seating. The park has open grassy areas, playgrounds and swingsets. A short paved trail loops through the center of the park.

Currie Bennett Park is a narrow park that features a baseball diamond, basketball court, and playground.

Heritage Park is an historical resource for Midland residents, offering interactive exhibits, a research library, and historical archives. The Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center, Herbert H. Dow Historical Museum, and Bradley Home Museum and Carriage House are all located at Heritage Park. The park is easily accessible from the Pere Marquette Trail.

Trails and Bike Routes

The Pere Marquette Trail starts from downtown Midland, near the Tridge and Midland Farmers Market. The paved trail section between Midland and Clare is one of the most popular routes in Michigan for recreational cyclists. The paved trail is also used for jogging, walking, and rollerblading. The section between Clare and Baldwin is mostly unpaved and is popular with snowmobilers.

A paved trail goes east from the Tridge area, past Dow Diamond, and meanders through the median of M-20 before ending at Washington Street.

The Chippewa Trail is a paved route for biking, jogging, and walking that goes from the Chippewa Nature Center to the Tridge.

Midland is a great place for cyclists. In addition to the paved trails, the city has bike routes on several city streets. Cyclists can use bike lakes, ride along the side of the road or, where available, use a sidewalk for the bike route.

Kayaking and Canoeing

The Tittabawassee River is a scenic river, and you can see Midland and the Tridge from a who different perspective by canoe or kayak.

Along Golfside, near the entrance to Chippewassee Park, there is a boat launch for watercraft of various types. A wooden dock provided at the boat launch enables you to launch a canoe or kayak from the boat launch.

More About Midland

Midland has a variety of attractions for visitors.

Nature lovers will enjoy Dow Gardens and Chippewa Nature Center. Dow Gardens features spectaular floral displays and unique exhibits throughout the year. Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) offers nature programs for children and adults. CNC also offers the Howard L. Garrett Arboretum and Homestead Farm.

Midland was once the home of noted architect Alden B. Dow, whose designs include Ann Arbor City Hall, the Henry McMorran Auditorium and Sports Arena in Port Huron, and Kalamazoo Nature Center. Alden Dow's former home and studio are open to the public for tours. If you enjoy architecture, you'll also want to stop in downtown Midland and see Midland County Courthouse, which is a beautiful building that opened in 1926.

Midland's Santa House is a must-visit place for the kids when Christmas is near. The house was built in 1987 and is located next to Midland County Courthouse. Santa House is a magical place for Santa and his visitors.

Midland County Fairgrounds hosts the Michigan Antique and Collectible Festivals, which features 80 acres of antiques and treasures.

Midland is home to Northwood University and the headquarters for Dow Chemical Company.








Trails & Bike Routes | Parks & Beaches | City Guides | Free Wallpaper | Eye on Michigan Home


Copyright © 2024 Eye on Michigan

Comments or questions, please email