Sterling Heights Converts Storm Drain into a Green Oasis and Trail

When you think of storm‑water drainage, the word "park" rarely comes to mind. In Sterling Heights, though, that notion has been flipped on its head. After a year‑long, $1.1 million overhaul, the old Sterling Relief Drain now looks more like a walking‑bike greenway than a concrete trench.

Officials say the project is a textbook example of green infrastructure. Roughly 100 acres of habitat have been restored along the drain’s length, and more than 5,000 native trees, shrubs and perennials now line the banks. The centerpiece? A brand‑new, half‑mile paved path that winds from Ryan Road to Schoenherr Road, just south of Metropolitan Parkway. Residents can now stroll, jog, or bike through a living filter that actually cleans the water before it reaches the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair.

“This is a remarkable project that is very environmentally friendly by improving water quality and the local habitat while boosting the city’s recreational opportunities,” said Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works commissioner. Mayor Michael Taylor echoed the sentiment, calling the investment “a step toward long‑term resilience for our community.”

The drain carries about 20 percent of Sterling Heights’ storm‑water and snow‑melt. By capturing runoff early, the vegetated corridor traps sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen before they can clog downstream sewers. According to the Macomb County Public Works Commission, the upgrades should remove roughly 50,000 pounds of sediment annually, including 800 pounds of phosphorus and 4,500 pounds of nitrogen.

Kelly Karll, SEMCOG’s manager of environment and infrastructure, explained why the greenery matters: “The biggest benefit is water quality. If pollutants are filtered upstream, they don’t end up in the Clinton River or Lake St. Clair, where they could fuel harmful algae blooms.”

Funding for the project came from a patchwork of sources: Sterling Heights chipped in just over $400,000, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation matched with $415,000, a federal earmark added $50,000 for trees, Consumers Energy contributed $40,000, DTE gave $4,000, and the remaining $187,000 was covered by Macomb County and the Sterling Relief Drain District.

Beyond the environmental upside, the new trail gives the neighborhood a safe, scenic route for exercise and recreation. “It creates an important new connection for residents to walk, run and bike safely through our community,” said Kyle Langois, director of Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation. He added that framing the drain as an amenity, not just a utility, helps win public support.

In short, what was once a buried, functional piece of infrastructure is now a public asset—a wetland‑like park that does double duty: cleaning water and offering a place to unwind.