Cass River Water Trail

The Cass River Greenways Committee (CRG) has been actively working to promote the Cass River for recreation.  Since 2010, Spicer Group has assisted the CRG and multiple communities along the Cass River corridor to develop launch sites, including Bridgeport, Frankenmuth, Tuscola and Vassar. In the future, the CRG plans to extend the water trail to other communities along the Cass River north to Cass City.

Each project began with Spicer’s assistance in writing the community’s Recreation Plan, which then moved into writing a DNR grant application, and, once awarded, into design, permitting and construction.  These projects include:

City of Frankenmuth

Heritage Park in Frankenmuth was one of the first sites along the Cass River to install a floating dock specially designed to be ADA-accessible. It is one of the first universally-accessible canoe launches in the state. The Frankenmuth project included a gravel parking lot, a pathway to the launch and interpretive signage.

Bridgeport Charter Township

Bridgeport developed two canoe/kayak launch sites, one at Davis Park, the other at Hoffmann Park.  Both sites include a floating dock specifically designed for ADA access, parking lot, a paved path down to the launch and interpretive signage.

Tuscola Township

Tuscola Township was the first site along the Cass River to develop a concrete canoe launch.  The launch extends into the water to provide an accessible path for canoers / kayakers.  The project also included a gravel drive and parking, a vaulted restroom and interpretive signage.

City of Vassar

This launch is a concrete ramp down to the water on one side of the dam and steps down to the water on the other side of the former dam.  The project also includes a paved parking lot and paved path down to the launch.  Interpretive signage with a map of the water trail was installed by the City.

Vassar State Game Area

A second launch was developed in Vassar Township along M-46. This ramp is a stone ramp with geo-web fabric at one of the parking areas for the Vassar State Game Area.