Ann Arbor Will Acquire Land for Treeline Trail
The city council plans to vote on a new Felch Street land purchase next week to expand the ongoing trail project.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Hiking
Live Poll
Should your city prioritize acquiring land to expand local trail and recreation networks?
Ann Arbor officials are moving forward with the Treeline Trail project by acquiring additional land parcels. The city council is scheduled to vote on the purchase of a lot on Felch Street in October 2026.
Why it matters
Securing these parcels is a necessary step to complete the trail, which aims to provide a continuous path from Broadway Park West to Michigan Stadium. The project requires the acquisition of multiple properties to establish its planned route along Allen Creek.
The planned Treeline Trail will stretch from Broadway Park West to Michigan Stadium along the path of Allen Creek. Design plans include an elevated section over Depot and Summit Streets as well as a bridge crossing Main Street.
The players
Ann Arbor City Council
This is the governing legislative body responsible for the city budget and land use decisions in Ann Arbor.
The details
Beyond the Felch Street purchase, the city has already conducted environmental cleanup at a former gas station site on North Main Street. Officials are also currently negotiating with a design firm to finalize construction plans for the trail.
Timeline
October 2026 is when the City Council will vote on the Felch Street lot acquisition.
Culture Shift
The Treeline Trail represents a broader urban movement toward reclaiming post-industrial spaces for recreational greenways. These developments mirror a national shift in city planning that prioritizes non-motorized infrastructure and pedestrian connectivity over vehicular transit.
Residents should anticipate future changes to trail access as the city finalizes construction designs and land acquisitions. These developments will eventually provide a direct path from Broadway Park West to Michigan Stadium for local hikers and cyclists.
The takeaway
Ongoing land acquisitions demonstrate the slow, methodical pace required to connect urban recreational trails across multiple city blocks. Residents interested in new green space can track council agendas to see how these parcels contribute to the final route design.
What happens next
The Ann Arbor City Council will hold a vote regarding the acquisition of the Felch Street lot in October 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local outdoor access, visit the Ann Arbor Hiking page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WEMU-FM.
Live Poll
Should your city prioritize acquiring land to expand local trail and recreation networks?
