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Commentary

Fostering Cross-Border Trail Tourism Between Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA

by
John H. Hartig
1,*,
Lori Newton
2,
Todd Scott
3,
Marlaine Koehler
4,
John E. Gannon
5,
Sam Lovall
6,
Tom Woiwode
7,
Amy Greene
8,
Weston Hillier
9 and
Eric Antolak
10
1
Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
2
Bike Windsor Essex, Windsor, ON N8Y 2N5, Canada
3
Detroit Greenways Coalition, Detroit, MI 48232, USA
4
Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1Y4, Canada
5
Mullett Lake Preservation Society, Topinabee, MI 49791, USA
6
Great Lakes Way Advisory Committee, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
7
Fund for the Environment, Okemos, MI 48864, USA
8
Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, MI 48067, USA
9
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Lansing, MI 48909, USA
10
Downriver Linked Greenways, Taylor, MI 48180, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Green Health 2025, 1(3), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/greenhealth1030020
Submission received: 28 August 2025 / Revised: 6 November 2025 / Accepted: 10 November 2025 / Published: 15 November 2025
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

The 2026 opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA, with its multi-use trail for cyclists and pedestrians, is projected to catalyze cross-border trail tourism and help further revitalize these two border cities. Both Windsor and Detroit have unique, extensive trail systems with compelling destinations. However, cross-border trail tourism institutionalization needs improvement. Tourism, greenway, and destination partners should explore creating a boundary organization to foster and market cross-border trail tourism. Recommendations from a 2024 cross-border trail tourism conference include: develop strategies for community engagement and storytelling to enhance cultural connections between regions; strengthen ties between trail groups and environmental organizations to provide trail experiences that reconnect people with the river and other natural resources; support the region’s efforts to obtain a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for the Underground Railroad and support the Canadian federal designation of Windsor’s Ojibway National Urban Park; strengthen collaborations between tourism and cycling partners to promote and market cross-border trail tourism; institutionalize greenway assessments (every 5–10 years) to evaluate trail segment completions, gaps, potential route improvements, safety improvements, equity considerations, etc., and to keep greenways in the public consciousness; and measure and broadly communicate the economic impact of cross-border trail tourism resulting from the bridge.

1. Introduction

Societal connection to nature has declined by more than 60% since 1800, and this decline in nature-connectedness parallels urbanization [1]. Greenway trails can help reconnect people with nature, play a pivotal role in conserving a region’s unique ecology [2], and help develop a stewardship ethic [3,4]. Trails are also important tools for socio-cultural development [5] and promoting public health [6].
Metropolitan Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA are border cities along the Detroit River that have extensive greenway trail systems, conservation areas, and parks that offer compelling outdoor recreational opportunities, hands-on outdoor learning opportunities, natural resource stewardship activities, and nature-based health and fitness activities that help bring conservation to cities and make nature part of everyday urban life [7]. A new Windsor–Detroit border crossing, called the Gordie Howe International Bridge, is under construction and will open in 2026, with a multi-use trail. This provides a unique opportunity to advance and study cross-border trail tourism.
Cross-border trail tourism can result in many benefits, including social/cultural [8], economic [9], public health [10], and environmental [11]. However, there can be a plethora of barriers to cross-border trail tourism, including complexities of border crossing procedures, regulatory differences between countries, language differences, lack of coordinated infrastructure across borders, political tensions, inadequate wayfinding signage and trail maintenance, cultural differences, economic disparities between neighboring regions, and safety concerns at border crossings [12,13].
Although cross-border trail tourism is common in Europe and Asia, limited North American cross-border trail tourism case studies exist. This new border crossing provided a unique opportunity to explore and cultivate cross-border trail tourism as the theme of the 2024 State of the Strait (SOS) Conference. Conference/study objectives included: examine the history and status of greenway development in the Windsor and Detroit metropolitan areas; explore local stakeholder perspectives on greenway initiatives and make recommendations for expanding cross-border trail tourism; and investigate current institutional arrangements designed to advance cross-border trail tourism and make recommendations for improving them.
The SOS Conference is a biennial Canada–U.S. forum that brings together governmental managers, researchers, students, nongovernmental organizations, and concerned citizens to better understand the problems and opportunities facing the region and foster greater transboundary collaboration. The SOS conference now has a 27-year history of co-producing knowledge and co-innovating of solutions in the spirit of ecosystem-based management of these shared waters (https://www.uwindsor.ca/glier/state-of-the-strait (accessed on 1 October 2025)). This communication presents a summary of conference discussions, along with key findings and recommendations from the conference steering committee for advancing cross-border trail tourism in the future.

2. The Study Area

Situated at the heart of the Laurentian Great Lakes is the Detroit River, a 51-km connecting water body through which all the water from the Upper Great Lakes (i.e., Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron) flows to the Lower Great Lakes (i.e., Lakes Erie and Ontario). It also forms part of the border between Canada and the United States.
Located on the banks of the Detroit River are the border cities of Detroit, Michigan, USA and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with metropolitan populations of approximately 4.34 million [14] and 423,000 [15], respectively. Both cities have long histories as commercial and manufacturing centers, with Detroit being the “Automobile Capital of the United States” [16] and Windsor being a major automobile manufacturing center in Canada. Manufacturing partnerships have prospered between these two cities since the inception of the automobile-making business.
The Windsor–Detroit crossing is the busiest commercial border crossing between the United States and Canada and a key hub in one of the densest, most interconnected transportation and trade corridors in North America [17]. This crossing handles approximately one-third of all trade between the two countries, amounting to around $1 billion CAD in trade per day [18].
This border crossing includes the privately owned Ambassador Bridge built in 1927 for commercial truck traffic and passenger vehicles, the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel built in 1928 for passenger automobiles, and the Detroit River Rail Tunnel built in 1910 for freight. To facilitate an anticipated increased need for transporting people and goods, the new Gordie Howe International Bridge is being constructed across the Detroit River and will open in 2026. In response to substantial public input, the new bridge will include a dedicated multi-use path to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists crossing between Windsor and Detroit. Use of the path by pedestrians and cyclists will be toll-free.

3. Conference Organization and Format

This conference was organized by a binational steering committee and held at the University of Windsor (Windsor, ON, Canada) on 22 October 2024 [19]. More than 200 people attended, and a virtual watch party was held at the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation in Southwest Detroit. The conference outcomes, along with the process of post-conference fact-finding presented here, offer the potential for adoption and adaptation to other multi-jurisdictional geographic regions as well.
The conference program included a keynote address, an overview of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, and three panel discussions focused on connecting greenways, local perspectives, and trail tourism marketing and business benefits. More information can be found in the conference report [19].

4. The Windsor–Detroit Region and a Brief History of Cycling

The border cities of Windsor and Detroit share many similarities, including early First Nations’ settlement, followed by French colonization, the expansion of industry and railroads into the interior of North America, and economic progress centered on automotive manufacturing [20]. What is less known is that Windsor and Detroit have a long bicycle legacy, including an international bicycle relationship that dates back to the 1800s [21].
Starting in the early 1800s, cyclists and pedestrians could take a ferry boat across the river for pleasure or to do business (Table 1). When the Ambassador Bridge opened in 1929, it included a sidewalk for pedestrians and cyclists. However, this came to a halt in 2001 when the Ambassador Bridge was closed to nonmotorized transportation to increase security measures following the September 11th terrorist attack in New York and Pennsylvania. When a new main span deck was placed on the bridge in 2010–2013, the sidewalks were permanently eliminated.
In 2015, the new border crossing called the Gordie Howe International Bridge was announced for these two border cities. It will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America at a cost of $6.4 billion USD. In 2016, a binational group of trail organizations and cycling advocates responded by preparing a Canada–U.S. greenway vision map calling for a multi-use path on this new bridge that would connect emerging greenways on both sides of the border (Figure 1). In response to the 2016 vision map and public advocacy, the Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority committed to including a toll-free, dedicated, bicycle and pedestrian lane (i.e., multi-use path) on the new bridge.
Both Windsor and Detroit have placed a high priority on establishing greenway systems that connect people to the outdoors (Table 2). The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not only improve cross-border trade and commerce, but to restart cross-border cycle tourism in a meaningful way.

5. Connecting Greenways

Conference attendees noted that meaningful community engagement, including businesses, is key to reaching the full potential of cross-border trail tourism. Indeed, Plunk and Gehlert [23] have shown the importance of meaningful community engagement in building trust, especially with underserved communities. Conference participants also noted that greater emphasis needs to be placed on developing strategies for community engagement and storytelling that will enhance cultural connections between the Windsor and Detroit metropolitan areas. These stories can contribute to a sense of place [24]. Way-finding signage, interpretive panels, apps, before-and-after photos, and QR codes will all enhance the greenway experience.
Successful trail and greenway initiatives have strong community buy-in, which takes real work and commitment to develop. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy [25], the Waterfront Regeneration Trust [26], the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership [27], and the Trans Canada Trail [28] are good examples of trail organizations that steward ambitious visions and are committed to building and maintaining partnerships to advance them.
Windsor and Detroit trails not only encourage exercise and healthful living, but also can lead to expanding programming that promotes public health and well-being (Table 3). Brownson et al. [29] have shown that walking trails can promote physical activity among segments of the population at highest risk for inactivity, in particular persons in lower socioeconomic groups.
A study of cross-border cycle tourism in Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg found that cross-border integration depends on the trail’s strength as a tourism product, its cross-border institutionalization, the geography and scale of the trail, and the involved destinations [8]. Assuming this holds for cross-border trail tourism in Canada and the United States, the Windsor–Detroit region has strengths in strong tourism products and the geographical scale of the binational trail system [30] with many unique destinations and compelling experiences (https://visitdetroit.com (accessed on 5 November 2025); https://visitwindsoressex.com (accessed on 5 November 2025)). Yet, the need for greater cross-border trail institutionalization cannot be overemphasized.
Many challenges remain for Windsor–Detroit cross-border trail tourism. Selected examples include: recent strained cross-border relations between the United States and Canada over tariffs and talk of annexation of Canada have the potential to stymie cross-border trail tourism; the current U.S. immigration policy and its enforcement are seen as real threats to certain segments of the population (resulting in decisions not to cross the border); and U.S. federal cuts to greenway funding programs that would help fill trail gaps, complete trail connections, and provide way-finding signage.
In preparation for the bridge opening, four major trail organizations came together to explore cross-border collaboration on joint trail experiences:
  • The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, which is championing the Great Lakes Way (https://cfsem.org/initiative/greatlakesway (accessed on 5 November 2025));
  • The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which is championing the Iron Belle Trail stretching more than 3200 km from Ironwood in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle State Park in Detroit (https://michigan.gov/dnr/places/state-trails/iron-belle (accessed on 5 November 2025));
  • The Waterfront Regeneration Trust, which is championing the 3600-km Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretching from the St. Lawrence River in Quebec to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (https://waterfronttrail.org (accessed on 5 November 2025)); and
  • The nonprofit organization called the Trans Canada Trail, which stewards the over 28,200-km trail called The Trans Canada Trail stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans (https://tctrail.ca (accessed on 5 November 2025)).
This partnership was formalized in a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) [30]. Initial areas of cooperation include defining and developing trail destination experiences; collaborating on outreach, marketing, and promotion; and exploring opportunities for using technology to enhance the trail user experience via a digital trail mirroring the physical route.
Over time, this partnership should be expanded to include tourism organizations like Visit Detroit and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, other key greenway trail partners, The City Institute of Detroit, the Downtown Detroit Partnership, and the University of Windsor’s Centre for Cities to more effectively develop and facilitate cross-border trail tourism. In essence, these partners would come together in a collaborative or boundary organization. Such boundary organizations can shape an organization’s identity, give legitimacy to boundary spanning, and facilitate interactions among partners [31]. They are also viewed as a useful lens to study collaborative environmental governance arrangements [32].
Cleave et al. [33] have shown that place branding has become an increasingly integral part of local and regional efforts to attract and retain businesses. Place branding is a set of place-based elements that range from logos and slogans to promotional and marketing activities, expressions of place through the built and natural environments, actions and attitudes of local communities and other stakeholder groups, and quality of local infrastructure. The goal is to improve local and regional competitiveness in the global market. Rinaldi and Cavicchi [34] have shown the importance of partnerships in place branding, especially trust and shared values among stakeholders that are essential to foster cooperation among partners.
Finally, conference participants felt there is a need to institutionalize greenway assessments (e.g., every 5–10 years) to evaluate trail segment completions, gaps, potential route improvements, safety improvements, equity considerations, etc., and to keep greenways in the public consciousness. Indeed, Zuniga-Teran et al. [35] have shown to value and benefit of reporting on long-term trends of ecosystem indicators in practicing adaptive management.
In summary, meaningful and sustained community engagement is essential to realizing the full potential of cross-border trail tourism in this region. Although many challenges exist, this transboundary region must continue to improve its institutional arrangements for boundary spanning, including co-production of knowledge, co-innovation of solutions, and measuring and celebrating progress over time.

6. Local Perspectives

Conference participants noted that the Gordie Howe International Bridge is a transformative opportunity to reshape the region’s future, particularly in the realm of international tourism and cycling connectivity. However, infrastructure improvements will be needed. Furthermore, it will be crucial to ensure inclusive dialogue and community engagement in local planning processes.
Windsor and Detroit have many local tourism assets and much cultural heritage. For example, the Buxton National Historic Site is highlighted as a significant cultural and historical attraction that should be integrated into tourism strategies [36]. Buxton, Ontario, is Canada’s largest and most successful planned Black settlement for Black refugees escaping slavery in the United States. Detroit is well known as a terminus of the Underground Railroad where more than 40,000 people crossed the Detroit River and gained their freedom in Canada. Rich Underground Railroad history exists in both the Windsor and Detroit metropolitan areas.
The Detroit River Project (https://detroitriverproject.com (accessed on 5 November 2025)) is a dedicated group of American and Canadian activists, educators, and community members seeking to enshrine, celebrate, and inform the public regarding the crucial role the people of Detroit and Windsor played in the Detroit River crossing. Partners are working to obtain a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation [37] for the Underground Railroad in Detroit and Windsor. Research has shown that World Heritage status can have a major socio-economic impact, but there is also concern about over-tourism.
Research on UNESCO projects in the United Kingdom, which include Scotland’s six World Heritage sites, has documented an estimated £151 million of financial benefit each year [38]. In addition, such designations help bring communities together to protect and conserve some of the most important places across their country. Germany has 18 biosphere reserves that are designated under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program, with 71.6 million visitor days per year [31]. These 71.6 million visitor days generate gross sales of €3.84 billion through their on-site expenditure. Nationwide, biosphere reserve tourism generates a direct value added of €1.32 billion and an indirect value added of €646.87 million—for a total of €1.97 billion [39]. As a result, 77,419 people can earn an income directly or indirectly from tourism in German biosphere reserves.
Meacci and Liberatore [40] have shown that successful tourism destinations attract tourists using a systematic approach to stimulating all the senses. WindsorEats (https://windsoreats.com—accessed on 5 November 2025) is a highly awarded tourism business in Windsor, recognized for its innovative culinary and cycling tours. It has been named the Best Culinary Tourism Experience in Ontario and Innovator of the Year for Canadian Tourism. It has evolved from a local restaurant guide to a national leader in experiential tourism, offering innovative tours like the “wine trail ride.” Its goal is to leverage the Gordie Howe International Bridge by offering tours into Detroit. The potential to expand such cross-border experiential tourism is great.
Additional suggestions for expanding cross-border trail tourism from a local perspective include:
  • Establish partnerships with Detroit and Windsor cycling groups and tourism organizations to create joint tourism offerings;
  • Increase community outreach to engage more local businesses and other trail stakeholders in trail planning and programming;
  • Develop strategies for community engagement and storytelling to enhance cultural connections between regions; and
  • Promote and market e-bikes, making long-distance cycling accessible to a broader demographic.

7. Trail Tourism Marketing and Business Benefits

Organizations like Visit Detroit and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, because of their visitor and tourism missions, need to play leadership roles in developing itineraries for cycle tourism. Such cross-border cycling itineraries should encourage longer stays and repeat visits. Further, developing a sense of place is critically important. Businesses along these trail routes need to become bike-friendly and market-ready. The long-term goal should be to become a cycling destination of choice (e.g., a two-nation vacation destination). Research has shown that cycle itineraries help stimulate economic development by increasing local spending, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and increasing local property values, and can help address poverty in underserved areas [41].
It was argued that visitors are looking for authentic, diverse, accessible, and inclusive experiences. Trip motivators in Windsor and Essex County include food and drink, arts and culture, outdoor adventure, and entertainment. There is a need to develop a visitor economy through outdoor adventure, nature cycling, storytelling, heritage, and sensory experiences.
The Ontario By Bike Network offers a variety of information on cycling in Ontario, inspiring visitors and residents to explore more by bicycle. In 2022, there were 1.2 million cycling visits in Ontario, representing 1% of total visits in Ontario [42]. These cyclists spent $565 million CAD, accounting for 2.35% of total visitor spending in Ontario. This shows the economic potential of cycle tourism.
Recreational cycling was the most popular type of cycling activity in 2023, with 96% of respondents cycling for recreation, 40% cycling for touring, 36% participating in events/tours, 58% participating in one or more overnight trips, and 38% participating in two or more trips [43]. Road cycling, followed closely by riding off-road trails (paved and unpaved), was the preferred type of cycling, followed by gravel cycling and mountain biking. Fifty-two percent of the respondents preferred a daily ride distance of 46–99 km, and 32% preferred distances between 21–45 km on multi-day trips that included cycling.
The economic impact of the new multi-use trail on the Gordie Howe International Bridge should be measured and broadly communicated. Further, efforts should be made to designate experiences as part of the Trans Canada Trail “Exceptional Tourism Experience” and to connect trail routes and stories.
The new bridge has the potential to be more than just a physical connection between Windsor and Detroit. Indeed, it can be a conduit for co-creating a common trail tourism vision, sharing transboundary stories, and building a blueprint for a cross-border trail tourism economy. Clearly, Windsor and Detroit have a plethora of themes that serve as the foundation for a cross-border trail tourism economy between these two border cities (Table 4). As a priority, conference participants advocated supporting a binational UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for the Underground Railroad and the establishment of Ojibway National Urban Park in Windsor.
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island offered a four-pronged approach to developing cross-border trail tourism: (1) ensure sufficient public input; (2) market and show the impact; (3) provide education on how to properly use trails; and (4) provide good stewardship to ensure the trail is clean, safe, and usable. In a study of cross-border partnerships in three international parks along the U.S.–Canada border, Timothy [44] has shown that management frameworks, infrastructure development, human resources, conservation, promotion, and international- and local-level border concessions and treaty waivers all play important roles in sustainable trans-frontier tourism.
The Detroit Wheelhouse bicycle shop (https://www.wheelhousedetroit.com (accessed on 5 November 2025)) has been a leader in providing public and private bicycle tours from its location on the Detroit Riverwalk. Their existing tour themes include architecture, automotive heritage, Detroit’s Eastern Market, public art, the Underground Railroad, and much more. While these tours already cater to international tourists, they could be expanded through enhanced partnerships with Visit Detroit, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, travel agents, and others.

8. Concluding Thoughts and Major Conference Steering Committee Recommendations

Both Windsor and Detroit have unique, extensive trail systems with compelling destinations. However, one area of improvement is cross-border trail tourism institutionalization through a boundary organization. Such an organization could address many existing challenges, like filling trail gaps, obtaining adequate trail funding, ensuring businesses are bicycle-friendly, sustaining meaningful community engagement, providing effective wayfinding and storytelling, and developing compelling itineraries. These are all worthy endeavors to pursue because cross-border trail tourism has the potential to enhance local economies and the well-being of residents and visitors.
Six primary recommendations emerged from a 2024 cross-border trail tourism conference.
  • Community engagement and storytelling are effective tools in cultivating cultural connections by fostering empathy through shared narratives, building bridges between different groups by making complex issues relatable, and preserving cultural heritage by passing down traditions and values. Therefore, it is recommended that strategies be developed for strengthening community engagement and storytelling to enhance cultural connections between regions.
  • Individuals involved in trail groups and environmental organizations have a common appreciation of the outdoors. However, these groups are not always closely connected. It is recommended that ties between these two stakeholder groups be strengthened by providing trail experiences that reconnect people with the river and other natural resources.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites and national parks are recognized for their universal value, including serving as major tourist attractions. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholder groups support the binational efforts to obtain a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for the Underground Railroad and support the Canadian federal designation of Windsor’s Ojibway National Urban Park.
  • Working relationships between the travel industry and cycling organizations in the Windsor–Detroit region are at an early stage of development. Therefore, it is recommended that a priority be placed on strengthening collaborations between these stakeholder groups to promote and market cross-border trail tourism.
  • Greenway trail systems are being continuously improved in both the Windsor and Detroit metropolitan areas. Therefore, it is recommended that greenway assessments be institutionalized (every 5–10 years) to evaluate trail segment completions, gaps, potential route improvements, safety improvements, equity considerations, etc., and to keep greenways in the public consciousness and to help practice adaptive management.
  • While sustainable development promotes balanced and continuous economic, social, and environmental progress, economic benefits often garner considerable attention, particularly when making the case for a new initiative. To help make the case for expanding cross-border trail tourism in the Windsor–Detroit metropolitan region, it is recommended that a concerted effort be made to measure and broadly communicate the economic impact of cross-border trail tourism resulting from the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Amid recent strained cross-border relations between the United States and Canada over tariffs and talk of annexation, cross-border trail tourism has the potential to catalyze transboundary cooperation on shared stories, foster understanding, advance collaboration, celebrate history and culture, promote conservation and outdoor recreation, improve quality of life, and strengthen longstanding relationships between these border cities and great nations.

Author Contributions

For this article: conceptualization, J.H.H., L.N. and T.S.; methodology, J.H.H., L.N. and T.S.; validation, M.K., J.E.G., S.L., T.W., A.G., W.H. and E.A., formal analysis, J.H.H., L.N. and T.S.; investigation, J.H.H., L.N. and T.S.; resources, J.H.H., writing—original draft preparation, J.H.H. and J.E.G.; writing—review and editing, L.N., T.S., M.K., S.L., T.W., A.G., W.H. and E.A.; visualization, J.H.H.; project administration J.H.H., L.N. and T.S.; supervision, J.H.H. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

No new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the sponsors of the 2024 State of the Strait Conference (https://www.uwindsor.ca/glier/state-of-the-strait (accessed on 5 November 2025)). We also acknowledge the members of the steering committee who helped organize and convene the conference and all conference speakers, panelists, and participants for sharing their knowledge and ideas. A special thank you to the University of Windsor for hosting this conference and to the staff of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research for their assistance in making the conference a success.

Conflicts of Interest

Lori Newton was employed by the non-profit organization Bike Windsor Essex and Todd Scott was employed by the non-profit organization Detroit Greenways Coalition. The remaining authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Figure 1. Canada–U.S. greenways vision map developed in 2016, showing trails that will be connected once the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens. Number symbols on the map represent highways.
Figure 1. Canada–U.S. greenways vision map developed in 2016, showing trails that will be connected once the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens. Number symbols on the map represent highways.
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Table 1. A brief history of cross-border services that supported pedestrians and cyclists.
Table 1. A brief history of cross-border services that supported pedestrians and cyclists.
Cross-Border ServiceDescription
FerriesCross-border ferries historically operated on the Detroit River between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario for over a century, starting in the early 1800s. These ferries transported people, goods, and later, vehicles, playing a vital role in connecting the communities on both sides of the river. With the opening of the Ambassador Bridge in 1929 and the opening of the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel in 1930, demand for ferry services declined significantly. The last passenger and car ferry service between Detroit and Windsor ceased operations in 1938.
Ambassador BridgeThis bridge was constructed in 1929 with a 2.4-m-wide sidewalk for pedestrians and cyclists. It was closed to pedestrians and cyclists in 2001 to increase security measures following the September 11th terrorist attack in New York and Pennsylvania. A new main span deck was placed on the bridge in 2010–2013, permanently eliminating the sidewalks [22].
Detroit–Windsor TunnelThe Detroit–Windsor Tunnel has never allowed pedestrians or cyclists; however, the company did add bike rack service on buses starting in 2017. Regular tunnel bus service for commuters ended in August 2025 due to rising costs associated with the service. A private company started commuter service in October 2025.
Gordie Howe International BridgeThe new Gordie Howe International Bridge will open in 2026 with a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. This bridge is toll-free for pedestrians and cyclists.
Table 2. Examples of existing trails in Windsor and Detroit that will be connected by the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Table 2. Examples of existing trails in Windsor and Detroit that will be connected by the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Border City/RegionLocal Trails (Date of Establishment)Larger Trail Systems That Local Trails are Part of (Date of Establishment)
Windsor Metropolitan Area
  • 8-km Roy A. Battagello River Walk (1960s)
  • 11-km Gannachio Trail (originally established in 1971; expanded in 1996 and 2007)
  • 13-km Devonwood Bike Trail (mid-1980s and early 1990s)
  • 42-km Chrysler Canada Greenway (1997)
  • 17-km Right Honourable Herb Gray Parkway (2016)
  • 22-km Cypher Systems Group Greenway (2017)
  • 28,000-km Trans Canada Trail (1992)
  • 3600-km Great Lakes Waterfront Trail (1995)
Detroit Metropolitan Area
  • A more than 160-km network of trails called Downriver Linked Greenways (1999)
  • 9-km Detroit Riverwalk (2003), with 5 km of trail extensions into neighborhoods
  • 44-km Joe Louis Greenway (2017)
  • More than a 3200-km trail system called the Iron Belle Trail (2015)
  • 268-km The Great Lakes Way (2019)
Table 3. Selected examples of how Windsor and Detroit greenways are helping expand programs that promote public health and well-being.
Table 3. Selected examples of how Windsor and Detroit greenways are helping expand programs that promote public health and well-being.
Project (Location)Description
Outdoor fitness initiatives, Windsor, OntarioThe City of Windsor offers various recreational facilities and programs to encourage residents to be physically active. Good examples include the outdoor fitness equipment at Walker Homesite Park in Devonshire Heights and a new outdoor fitness park in Nevers Park in South Windsor. Additionally, the County-Wide Active Transportation System aims to connect people to active transportation facilities and places of interest.
Outdoor fitness initiatives, Detroit, MichiganThe City of Detroit’s Recreation Department manages over 300 parks, many with walking paths and fitness stations, and organizes a variety of activities that promote health. One good example is the Kemeny Recreation Center located on the Iron Belle Trail and The Great Lakes Way in Southwest Detroit. It reopened in 2018 following a $9.5 million USD renovation that included a new gymnasium and permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment. In addition, Detroit is actively working to enhance cycling infrastructure and promote cycling as a viable transportation option, aiming to create a more bike-friendly city.
Cycling initiatives, Bike Windsor Essex, Windsor/Essex County, OntarioBike Windsor Essex provides a variety of programs for anyone interested in biking from beginner’s cycling classes (ages 16+ and over), to do-it-yourself bike repair classes and resources and community rides to explore your community. Its Cycle Smart School Program teaches health and safety (e.g., traffic rules, importance of wearing a helmet); physical activity (e.g., healthy lifestyle benefits, cycling as a life-long activity, physical literacy); sustainability (e.g., environmental benefits, including reduced carbon footprint); and technology (e.g., use of online mapping tools).
Cycling initiatives, Detroit Greenways Coalition, Detroit, Michigan This nonprofit organization works to promote and build a network of greenways, Complete Streets (i.e., a multimodal approach to roadway
design and safety that considers all users of transportation infrastructure), and bike lanes connecting all of Detroit. Its vision is a strong, healthy, vibrant city of Detroit and surrounding region, where a seamless network of greenways, green spaces, water trails, and Complete Streets is an integral part of people’s active lifestyle, day-to-day transportation, and recreation. To help achieve this vision, the organization advocates for non-motorized infrastructure investments and road safety public policies, while supporting and sharing community-led events that promote health, including bike rides, group runs, and more.
Nature-Prescription Program—PaRx, OntarioThrough PaRx, a nationwide nature-prescription program, doctors can prescribe patient visits to local natural areas to improve their health. Any licensed health care professional can register with PaRx and receive a toolkit that makes nature prescribing easy, fun, and effective. This program aims to encourage patients to incorporate outdoor experiences in their local communities into their daily routines.
Free day passes to Ontario Provincial Parks, Windsor, OntarioAll branches of Windsor Public Library are loaning out free day-use vehicle permits for Ontario Provincial Parks to spend time in nature, participate in outdoor recreation, and encourage health and wellness. These “park passes” cannot be reserved in advance and are non-renewable.
Fit Park, Dequindre Cut, Detroit, MichiganIn 2015, Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan (BCBSM) and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy opened a free Fit Park on the Dequindre Cut extension of the Detroit Riverwalk. The park is an outdoor public workout space with permanently installed, stationary equipment. It is part of Live the Riverfront, a multi-year partnership between BCBSM and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, promoting physical fitness and healthy living initiatives through a series of free or low-cost activities along the riverfront. The Fit Park is another opportunity to encourage physical activity on the riverfront.
Outdoor initiatives, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU)WECHU promotes health through outdoor initiatives by providing information and resources to help residents enjoy the outdoors safely and actively. It actively engages with the community to create opportunities for physical activity and outdoor recreation, including exploring local trails.
Outdoor yoga in the Detroit metropolitan area
  • Detroit Parks Coalition offers free outdoor yoga classes at five parks: Clark Park, Belle Isle, Palmer Park, Chandler Park, and Rouge Park
  • The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy offers Moonlight Yoga classes on the Detroit Riverwalk
  • Lotus Wholistic Health and Wellness offers free outdoor yoga classes at the Refuge Gateway of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton
Outdoor yoga in Windsor metropolitan area
  • Windsor offers yoga along the Detroit River in the downtown area in Legacy Park and at Optimist Park (led by Community Living Essex), Ludlam Trail, and Ottawa Street
  • Amherstburg offers outdoor yoga at King’s Navy Yard Park on the lower Detroit River
Outdoor recreation, Wayne County Parks, Wayne County, Michigan To promote outdoor recreation and healthful living, Wayne County Parks offers a variety of parks and outdoor recreation areas with trails for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities, including Elizabeth Park, Rouge Park, Hines Park, the William P. Holliday Forest & Wildlife Preserve, and Crosswinds Marsh.
Wellness on the Riverfront, Detroit Riverwalk, Detroit, Michigan
  • The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Urban Solace offer a variety of wellness programs on the Riverwalk, including Mindful Morning, Mindful Mondays, Unwind & Align, and more
  • The Conservancy offers a Detroit Riverwalkers program for ages 50+ and a variety of runs on the Riverwalk
  • The Conservancy offers several runs on the Riverwalk, including the Detroit Riverfront Run that features 5- and 10-km races
  • The Conservancy offers free wellness classes focused on connecting body and mind to the natural world through meditation, sound bathing, and more
Trail Town Program, Trenton, MichiganIn 2021, Trenton was recognized by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a Trail Town for having some of the best hiking and biking trail experiences in the state, while also promoting healthy lifestyles and local businesses (https://www.trentonmi.org/843/Trail-Town (accessed on 5 November 2025)). Trenton has actively developed its trail system and bicycle network that is part of Downriver Linked Greenways, the Iron Belle Trail, and The Great Lakes Way. A Trail Town Advisory Committee oversees the implementation of a Trail Town Master Plan.
Healthy living program, Healthy Downriver Coalition, 21 Downriver communities, MichiganThe mission of this coalition is to build collaboration, improve health equity, and be the creator of positive change to support the health and wellness of Downriver residents (https://healthydownriver.org/ (accessed on 5 November 2025)). Its vision is to have a culturally inclusive Downriver community that engages in healthy living, has equal access to care, and makes informed choices that strengthen mind, body, and spirit. Outdoor recreation on greenways is an important part of the coalition’s work.
Outdoor recreation, Lake Erie Metropark, Brownstown, MichiganThis 650-ha metropark, located at the mouth of the Detroit River, offers 6.9 km of hiking and biking trails, a swimming pool with a wave pool and splash pad, and a marshland museum with sensory-friendly backpacks—all providing spaces for relaxation and enjoying nature, contributing to overall well-being.
Outdoor recreation, Belle Isle, Detroit, MichiganManaged by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and hosting the trailhead for the Iron Belle Trail, this historic, 398-ha, Detroit River island park offers biking and walking on a 9.3-km loop trail, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and other forms of outdoor recreation that promote health and wellness.
Table 4. Selected examples of themes for cross-border trail tourism between the Detroit and Windsor metropolitan areas.
Table 4. Selected examples of themes for cross-border trail tourism between the Detroit and Windsor metropolitan areas.
ThemeDescription
Automobile heritageMetropolitan Detroit and Windsor are well known as the automobile capitals of the United States and Canada, respectively. These two interconnected regions offer the world’s largest collection of cultural and labor organizations, museums, archives, factories, auto collections, and events to preserve the story of putting the world on wheels and building the middle class. An easy cross-border cycling experience could be Detroit’s Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum and Windsor’s Ford City in Walkerville. For more information, contact MotorCities National Heritage Areas (https://motorcities.org (accessed on 5 November 2025)).
First NationsThe lands and waters of this region are on Anishinaabe and Huron territories. Local tribes include Caldwell First Nation, Walpole First Nation, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, and the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation. Cross-border cycling experiences could include stops at the burial mounds at historic Fort Wayne in Detroit and Six Points, sacred grounds of the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation in Gibraltar, Michigan, and the proposed Ojibway National Urban Park in Windsor that will be co-managed by Parks Canada and Caldwell First Nation, with operational assistance from Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario.
Rum-runningDuring Prohibition (1920–1933), Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario were centers of alcohol smuggling, known as rum-running. The Detroit River’s many islands made it difficult to detect illegal activity. In 1929, illegal liquor was second only to the auto industry in Detroit in terms of revenue. Stories from this era abound, including blind pigs, the Purple Gang, and Panther Sweat. Bus tours currently exist, but cycling tours will be an important extension of cross-border trail tourism.
ArchitectureBoth Detroit and Windsor are known for their architecture. Preservation Wayne (https://preservationdetroit.org (accessed on 5 November 2025)) and The City Institute (https://www.thecityinstitute.com/ (accessed on 5 November 2025)) offer architectural tours of Detroit. Self-guided architectural tours in Windsor are offered by Windsor-Essex Jane’s Walk (https://www.windsorjaneswalk.ca/about (accessed on 5 November 2025)).
Albert Kahn architecture Albert Kahn (1869–1942) is a well-known innovative architect of industrial plant complexes and other prominent buildings in Detroit and Windsor. For more information, contact the City Institute (https://thecityinstitute.com (accessed on 5 November 2025)), Detroit History Tours (https://www.detroithistorytours.com/ (accessed on 5 November 2025)), or the Albert Kahn Legacy Foundation (https://albertkahnlegacyfoundation-bloom.kindful.com/e/walking-tour-of-windsors-walkerville- (accessed on 5 November 2025)).
American and Canadian Heritage RiversThe Detroit River is the only river system in North America to be designated as both American and Canadian Heritage Rivers. These designations celebrate natural heritage, cultural heritage, and recreational heritage. Binational heritage river tours could be set up by partners.
Transboundary conservationOne of the primary objectives of both the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and the proposed Ojibway National Urban Park is to bring conservation to cities. A cross-border cycling event could be set up with stops at both visitor centers that could showcase making nature part of everyday urban life and how they are working together to achieve transboundary conservation.
National parksThe region is fortunate to have two existing national parks (i.e., Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario—https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/pelee (accessed on 5 November 2025) and River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan—https://www.nps.gov/rira/learn/historyculture/index.htm (accessed on 5 November 2025)) and one proposed (i.e., Ojibway National Urban Park—https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/building-windsors-future/national-urban-park (accessed on 5 November 2025)). Such national parks are a magnet for people because of their scenic beauty, opportunities for recreation and learning about history, and a chance to reconnect with nature.
Underground RailroadDetroit is well known as a terminus of the Underground Railroad where more than 40,000 people crossed the Detroit River and gained their freedom in Canada. Rich Underground Railroad history exists on both sides of the border. For more information about the Underground Railroad in the region and efforts to secure a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, visit https://detroitriverproject.com (accessed on 5 November 2025). Both the Adventure Cycling Underground Railroad Bicycle Route and the Detroit Greenways Coalition Underground Railroad bike tour (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36280126 (accessed on 5 November 2025)) are good ways to experience this history by bicycle.
Farm freshDetroit’s Eastern Market (https://easternmarket.org/ (accessed on 5 November 2025)) is the largest open-air market in the United States and the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market is a major attraction throughout southwestern Ontario. It was named the 2024 “Farmers’ Market of the Year” by Farmers’ Markets Ontario (https://www.downtownwindsor.ca/farmers-market/ (accessed on 5 November 2025)). Coupling cross-border cycling with farm-fresh food experiences would be appealing to many.
ShipbuildingBecause of Detroit and Windsor’s strategic location in the heart of the Great Lakes, their position as centers of commerce, and the demand for transportation of people and goods, these border cities became leading ship-building centers in the United States and Canada. Shipbuilding provided jobs, but also furthered billions of dollars of commerce and trade regionally and globally. A shipbuilding cross-border cycling adventure could feature stops at Detroit and Windsor port authorities and historical museums like the Dossin Great Lakes Museum (https://detroithistorical.org/dossin-great-lakes-museum/plan-your-visit/general-information (accessed on 5 November 2025)) on Belle Isle and the River Rouge Historical Museum (https://cityofriverrouge.com/historical-museum/ (accessed on 5 November 2025)).
ByWays to FlyWaysThe Detroit River is situated at the intersection of the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, with more than 350 species of birds identified in the corridor. Partners have developed a ByWays to FlyWays Bird Driving Tour Map that features 27 unique birding sites in southwest Ontario and southeast Michigan. Cross-border trail birding experiences would appeal to many bird watchers.
Binational cycling adventuresThe Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, and Ontario by Bike have already developed binational and regional itineraries and complementary resources to inspire such adventures. Metro 313 Cyclones organizes “Pedals to Passports” cycling adventures.
Nationally and globally recognized days that celebrate conservation and the environmentNumerous celebratory days have been established to raise awareness of conservation and environmental protection, including World Wetlands Day (February 2nd), World Water Day (March 22nd), Earth Day (April 22nd), International Bird Day (second Saturday in May), International Biodiversity Day (May 22nd), and World Environment Day (June 5th). As a result of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the border cities of Windsor and Detroit are now uniquely positioned to host binational cycling celebrations of such days.
Binational open streetsBoth Windsor and Detroit participate in open street events to encourage active transportation and physical activity, enhance community building, promote community-led active living initiatives, showcase recently improved streetscapes, and provide an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to participate along the route. An annual binational open streets event could be established to create synergy.
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Hartig, J.H.; Newton, L.; Scott, T.; Koehler, M.; Gannon, J.E.; Lovall, S.; Woiwode, T.; Greene, A.; Hillier, W.; Antolak, E. Fostering Cross-Border Trail Tourism Between Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA. Green Health 2025, 1, 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/greenhealth1030020

AMA Style

Hartig JH, Newton L, Scott T, Koehler M, Gannon JE, Lovall S, Woiwode T, Greene A, Hillier W, Antolak E. Fostering Cross-Border Trail Tourism Between Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA. Green Health. 2025; 1(3):20. https://doi.org/10.3390/greenhealth1030020

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Hartig, John H., Lori Newton, Todd Scott, Marlaine Koehler, John E. Gannon, Sam Lovall, Tom Woiwode, Amy Greene, Weston Hillier, and Eric Antolak. 2025. "Fostering Cross-Border Trail Tourism Between Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA" Green Health 1, no. 3: 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/greenhealth1030020

APA Style

Hartig, J. H., Newton, L., Scott, T., Koehler, M., Gannon, J. E., Lovall, S., Woiwode, T., Greene, A., Hillier, W., & Antolak, E. (2025). Fostering Cross-Border Trail Tourism Between Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA. Green Health, 1(3), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/greenhealth1030020

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