A long-awaited 1.88-mile trail along Silver Lake is officially under construction — and it’s set to open in late summer 2026.

After nearly a decade of planning, fundraising, and community advocacy, the ChoiceOne Bank Trail is no longer just a dream on a map. Construction began in late 2025, and the Fenton-to-Linden connection is now becoming real, one cleared brush pile at a time.

If you’ve driven Silver Lake Road lately, you’ve already noticed the flaggers and lane closures. That’s progress.

What Is the ChoiceOne Bank Trail?

The ChoiceOne Bank Trail is a 1.88-mile paved, non-motorized pathway running along the north shore of Silver Lake between Fenton and Linden, Michigan. It connects Jennings Road in Fenton to East Broad Street and Triangle Park in Linden — giving walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters a dedicated off-road route linking the two communities for the first time.

This is Phase 2 of the broader LAFF Pathways system, a regional network connecting Linden, Argentine Township, Fenton Township, and the City of Fenton. Phase 1, a 2.1-mile path through Argentine Township, opened in October 2020.

Who’s Behind It and How It Got Funded

The project has been in the works since at least 2016, identified as a Tier 1 priority trail by residents and the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Phase 2 got its biggest boost from a $500,000 contribution from The State Bank (now ChoiceOne Bank, which holds naming rights), channeled through the LAFF Pathway Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Additional partners include the City of Fenton, City of Linden, Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation, and the Michigan DNR.

What’s Being Built Right Now

Construction kicked off in November 2025. Here’s the timeline:

• Winter 2025–2026 — Brush clearing and wooden boardwalk installation along the lakeshore

• Spring/Summer 2026 — Asphalt paving of the remaining pathway

• Late Summer 2026 — Full trail opens to the public

Crews work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Expect intermittent one-lane traffic near the curve of Silver Lake, with flaggers directing flow. Both lanes reopen after hours.

How This Trail Will Affect Property Values

If you own a home near Silver Lake Road, the research is squarely on your side.

Studies consistently show that proximity to paved recreational trails raises nearby home values. A 2019 review of 20 trail studies found that homes next to a trail typically sell for 3% to 5% more than comparable homes — with some high-profile trails pushing premiums as high as 15%. A University of Cincinnati study on Ohio’s Little Miami Scenic Trail found sale prices increased by roughly $7 for every foot closer a property sits to the trail. An Indianapolis study found the home within a half-mile of a trail sold for 11% more on average than an identical home farther away.

The boost isn’t limited to homes right on the trail — the effect extends up to a mile out. And in a market where buyers increasingly prioritize outdoor amenities, a scenic lakeside trail is a genuine listing differentiator.

A 2002 National Association of Realtors survey found that walking and biking trails ranked as the second most desired neighborhood amenity among homebuyers, behind only highway access. Realtors routinely use trail proximity as a selling point — and that will absolutely apply to Silver Lake Road once this trail opens.

What the Finished Trail Will Look Like

The completed trail will be 10 feet wide — enough for cyclists and pedestrians to pass comfortably. It hugs the north shore of Silver Lake, one of the most scenic stretches in Genesee County, with views of the water, wooded shoreline, and quiet neighborhoods along the route.

It connects directly into the sidewalk networks of both cities, making car-free travel between downtown Fenton and downtown Linden genuinely possible for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the trail open? Late summer 2026. Asphalt paving is scheduled for spring/summer 2026 after winter boardwalk work wraps up.

Where does it start and end? Jennings Road in Fenton to East Broad Street and Triangle Park in Linden, along Silver Lake Road.

How long is it? 1.88 miles. Combined with the Phase 1 Argentine Township segment (2.1 miles), the connected LAFF system will span over 4 miles — with more phases planned.

Will it raise home values? Research strongly suggests yes. Homes near paved trails typically sell for 3%–11% more than comparable homes without trail access. Scenic waterfront trails tend to land on the higher end of that range.

Is it free? Yes. Like all LAFF Pathways segments, the ChoiceOne Bank Trail will be free and open to the public year-round.

The Bottom Line

The ChoiceOne Bank Trail has been nearly ten years in the making. When it opens in late summer 2026, it will give Fenton and Linden residents something genuinely valuable — a safe, scenic, car-free connection between two communities that have always been just a short bike ride apart in spirit, but never quite in practice.

For the latest project updates, follow LAFF Pathways at laffpathways.com and the City of Fenton’s website.