Sterling Heights and Macomb County officials on Tuesday cut the ribbon on a $1 million green infrastructure project that converts 1.2 miles of the Sterling Relief Drain into a shared-use hike and bike path and restores 42 acres of habitat designed to capture and clean stormwater.
Project goals and scope
The work, which runs from just west of Ryan Road to Mound Road, removes portions of the old enclosed drain and replaces mowed turf with native vegetation intended to act as a natural sponge. The site will feature thousands of plantings and engineered inlet improvements aimed at reducing flooding for nearby homes and roadways while improving water quality that eventually reaches Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.
- Length of trail: 1.2 miles (3,000 linear feet of shared-use path)
- Habitat restored: 42 acres
- Plantings planned: 2,800 trees and shrubs; 2,500 native perennials and pollinator plugs; more than 200 pounds of native and pollinator seed
Crews rebuilt manholes and modified inlets to block trash from entering the former enclosed drain and to allow stormwater runoff to soak through native plants in the opened channel. Officials described the approach as an alternative to replacing aging metal pipes that once carried the water underground.
"We decided why don't we let Mother Nature do her thing," Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said at the ribbon-cutting, describing the decision to daylight the old pipe and rely on natural systems.
City Councilman Henry Yanez noted an additional water-quality benefit: the native plantings will help remove nitrogen and phosphorus from runoff before it reaches the Great Lakes system. "The nitrogen and phosphorous are part of the reason why we have that terrible algae bloom in our lakes, so by reducing here at this point, we're reducing it in the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River," Yanez said.
Local impacts and amenities
Beyond stormwater management, the project creates a new recreational link: a 3,000-linear-foot shared-use pedestrian path that now connects Nelson Park to Ryan Road. City officials emphasized the dual benefits—flood mitigation and public access—saying the green corridor will serve both environmental and community needs.
The transformation replaces maintained turf with fields of native grasses and perennial flowers intended to support pollinators and reduce maintenance demands. Officials said the project will reduce the volume and speed of runoff entering downstream systems while trapping some pollutants through plant uptake and soil infiltration.
| Feature | Amount |
|---|---|
| Trail length | 1.2 miles / 3,000 linear feet |
| Habitat restored | 42 acres |
| Trees & shrubs | 2,800 |
| Perennials & pollinator plugs | 2,500 |
| Seed scattered | 200+ pounds |
Officials also said crews altered inlet structures to keep trash out of the system while allowing stormwater to flow into the newly opened, vegetated channel. The changes are intended to slow runoff, increase infiltration and reduce stress on downstream infrastructure.
What residents can expect
City leaders have framed the project as a nature-based solution that reduces flood risk and improves water quality without large-scale pipe replacement. Because the work restores native plant communities and pollinator habitat, residents can expect changes to the local landscape and increased wildlife activity along the corridor as the plantings mature.
For residents who use the area for recreation, the shared-use path provides a continuous, safer route between Nelson Park and Ryan Road. For those concerned about flooding and water quality, officials say the design will remove nitrogen and phosphorus from runoff at an early stage, helping to mitigate algal bloom drivers downstream.
The city and county plan further plantings this fall, continuing the phased installation of trees, shrubs, perennials and seed that officials say will complete the vegetative component of the project.
Construction details and long-term maintenance plans were discussed at the ribbon-cutting, with county and city representatives present to outline next steps for planting and monitoring the site.
