Frequently Asked
Questions

The Treeline — a planned urban greenway through the heart of Ann Arbor — is a transformative idea for connecting people and places. The Treeline will connect the Huron River, Argo Cascades and the new Broadway Park West to surrounding neighborhoods, the core of downtown Ann Arbor, and University of Michigan athletic facilities and dorms while also linking to the regional Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail and the state-wide Iron Belle Trail.

The Treeline originated as the Allen Creek Greenway (ACG), an idea that has been discussed in the community for nearly 20 years. In 2015, the Ann Arbor City Council identified the ACG as an opportunity to create better non-motorized connections through the city to the Huron River and regional B2B Trail. For a full history of the Treeline, head to our Timeline page.

City Council allocated resources to develop a master plan that defines a feasible non-motorized route from the B2B Trail north of downtown to the State and Stimson Street intersection to the south.

The Treeline Conservancy is the City of Ann Arbor's primary partner in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the Treeline. In 2011, the City Council passed a resolution in support of advancing this citizen initiative. In 2015, the City dedicated resources to develop a master plan with a high level of public engagement.

In 2017, City Council adopted the Treeline master plan into the overall master plan (currently Comprehensive Plan), which sets the policy direction for future land use. In 2019, City Council and the Treeline Conservancy entered into a collaboration agreement to guide and advance the implementation of the Treeline master plan. In 2025, City Council authorized the Treeline Conservancy to issue a Request for Proposal for engineering and design of the northern Gateway Segment.

The Treeline master plan describes a feasible route that addresses the following considerations:
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Property access: Discussions have taken place with property owners who indicate a willingness for their private property to be included in the plan. Unless otherwise noted, no formal agreements have been made and future use of properties would be contingent on concurrence with the property owner(s).

Physical constraints: The trail is aligned where there is physical space and in locations where engineering constraints would not preclude construction.

Community priorities: The Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and community input shaped the preferred alignment according to key values including continuity, safety, accessibility, connectivity to destinations, environmental sustainability, and creating transformative experiences that celebrate Ann Arbor's unique character.

Designed to serve users of all ages and abilities, the Treeline is envisioned as a 14-foot wide urban greenway (wider where space allows) that would accommodate:

- A multi-use paved trail with separated pedestrian and bicycle areas
- Shade trees and native landscaping adjacent to the trail
- Stormwater management features including rain gardens and bioswales
- Pedestrian-scale lighting throughout and security measures (e.g., fencing) as needed
- Furnishings such as benches, waste receptacles, and signage
- Art, educational, and other interpretive elements

While the trail will primarily be located on public or private lands, some sections will be located within the street right-of-way. These include bicycle and pedestrian facilities separated from the roadway and feature significant improvements to the safety of street crossings.

The Treeline master plan focuses on identifying a feasible alignment for an urban trail. Within and adjacent to the trail corridor there will be opportunities to create areas of open space for recreation, habitat, stormwater management, or other complementary green space. These opportunities are subject to land availability and access beyond what the trail will require. Details for these items will be developed as these opportunities arise.

Approaches for improving the three City-owned properties along the corridor — 721 North Main, 415 West Washington, and First and William — will continue to be studied in future plans. The Treeline master plan focused on what portion of the city properties would be needed to accommodate the urban trail without precluding future uses of these properties.

More than just a trail, the Treeline will bring impressive benefits to the City of Ann Arbor by providing: quality of life improvements for residents, visitors and University students of all ages and abilities; seamless multi-modal transportation alternatives; positive economic impact; improved public health; and a limitless source of community identity and pride.

‍Mobility: Expand transportation options, connecting people to jobs, destinations, and recreation amenities.

‍Regional connectivity: Connect to adjacent communities via the B2B Trail and the statewide Iron Belle Trail system.

‍Economic Vitality: Urban trails show positive benefits to the local economy, through increased property value and retail spending, and for employer recruitment.

‍Tourism: The Treeline will be a signature facility capable of drawing people to Ann Arbor, connecting an active riverfront to downtown commercial districts and University athletic events.

‍Environmental Health: Manage stormwater runoff from the trail and improve conditions within the floodplain as other opportunities arise.

The Gateway is the Treeline's most ambitious segment, featuring a signature pedestrian and cycling bridge that will span Depot, Summit, and North Main Street. This iconic structure will create a seamless, low-stress connection from the Border-to-Border Trail and Broadway Park West directly into downtown Ann Arbor, addressing what cycling infrastructure analysis has identified as a high-stress gap for people walking and biking in the northern riverfront area.

Beginning at Broadway Park West, the Gateway will elevate over Depot and Summit streets before crossing North Main Street on the signature bridge. It will then continue at grade level through the city maintenance yard to Felch Street, where it connects with the Neighborhood segment. This critical link will make it safer and easier for residents, students, and visitors to access the riverfront, downtown, and campus without competing with heavy vehicle traffic. The Gateway represents not just infrastructure, but a transformative public space that will define Ann Arbor for generations.

The Treeline is being built in segments, with construction progressing as funding, partnerships, and opportunities align. The University of Michigan is currently building Wolverine Way, the southern segment that runs from E Madison Street past new student dormitories toward the athletic campus. The Neighborhood segment includes portions that are operational, such as the Swift Trail, which provides habitat for Ann Arbor's chimney swift population and integrates existing bike infrastructure.

The Treeline Conservancy's current priority is the Gateway segment, This segment will create a critical connection from the regional Border-to-Border Trail and Broadway Park West directly into downtown Ann Arbor, addressing a significant gap in safe, accessible infrastructure for people walking and biking. With recent state funding and City Council authorization for design engineering, the Gateway is entering its next phase of development.

The Treeline requires diverse funding sources for both capital construction and long-term operations and maintenance. Recent progress demonstrates this multi-faceted approach in action:

In October 2025, the State of Michigan awarded a $1 million grant for design of the Gateway segment — the largest single public commitment to date, covering roughly one-third of estimated design costs. Additional funding sources include federal and local transportation grants, environmental and community development programs, philanthropic and foundation support, corporate sponsorships, public-private partnerships, and individual donations. The Treeline Conservancy has launched a comprehensive fundraising campaign to secure remaining Gateway funding.

To ensure long-term sustainability without burdening city taxpayers, the Conservancy plans to create an endowment for ongoing trail maintenance once completed segments become city assets.

The Treeline master plan was designed to be flexible and respond to changing circumstances such as availability of other properties that might provide added benefit to the path. This can include opportunities for complementary open space or other supporting features.