Legacy Park (Seven Mile Property)

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1 2 1N9A9142 Located near the eastern border of Northville Township, Legacy Park is a 350-acre destination for outdoor recreation, nature exploration and community connection.

Situated off Seven Mile Road between Haggerty and Northville roads, it’s a beautiful piece of property, with rolling hills, rare trees and plentiful wildlife. It’s a public park full of promise. Its evolution will continue for many years to come.

Northville Township’s first step in making it a destination for nature lovers has focused on carving out miles of hiking and mountain biking trails designed for beginners through advanced riders.

Developed in three phases beginning in 2023, Legacy Park combines thoughtful environmental stewardship with modern trail design, transforming a historic property into one of the region’s premier outdoor spaces.

Today, residents and visitors can explore scenic trails, wooded landscapes and open spaces while enjoying year-round recreation in the heart of Northville Township.

Phase I

Phase I focused on developing the eastern side of Legacy Park. A new trailhead was constructed near Seven Mile at the Essential Services Complex, which includes public restrooms. Trail access is also available at the existing trailhead off Wayne Avenue, which has served park users for several years.

This phase includes:

Hiking trails
Beginner cross-country (XC) mountain biking tails
Multi-use hard surface trails for hiking and biking
A road hub connecting hiking and biking routes
Hiking access down Wayne Avenue to Rail Trail and Phase II

This phase was completed in 2024 and remained within the contracted project budget of $432,967.

Phase II

Phase II expanded the trail system and connected Phases I and III.

This phase added:

Hiking trails
Beginner cross-country mountain biking trails running west to east
Intermediate cross-country biking trials
Two trail hubs and connecting routes
The Rail Trail, a natural trail located south of the railroad tracks

Phase III

Phase III developed the western portion of Legacy Park and expanded advanced biking opportunities

This phase includes:

Hiking trails
Intermediate downhill biking trails
Advanced cross-country biking trails
Three cross-country trail hubs
Two bridges and a boardwalk
A scenic overlook at the western end of the Rail Trail

With the completion of Phases II and III in 2025, Legacy Park is home to more than 10 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of mountain biking trails and has transformed into a premier destination for adventurers across the state. The project also was a strong fiscal win. It was completed nearly $127,000 under budget, delivering more outdoor recreation for residents while maximizing taxpayer dollars.

Essential Services Complex (ESC)

Home of a second fire station, a new Public Safety Headquarters, a new headquarters for Public Works and the trailhead to Legacy Park was also completed using only 16 acres of the park in spring of 2025.

This important addition improves service delivery to our residents. Because Northville Township is a fiscally responsible government, we brought in outside consultants to explore remodeling existing buildings versus building a new one to accommodate current-day needs. The experts said it was more cost-effective to create this essential services complex. The benefits are long-term.

The Trail Forward

The Township won a $40,000 SEMCOG grant in 2025 with the assistance of the Alliance of Rouge Communities, to develop a storm water and green infrastructure master plan for Legacy Park. It will guide storm water infrastructure, re-forestation, wetland habitat and native area establishment to protect the park and its valuable resources for generations to come.

A Community Effort

The Northville Township’s Parks & Recreation Department would like to thank the Motor City Mountain Biking Association (MCMBA) and the many community members for all their support during the development of Legacy Park.

Their partnership, patience and dedication helped transform this historic property into a vibrant outdoor destination for residents and visitors alike.

As Legacy Park continues to grow, the Township remains committed to preserving its natural beauty while expanding opportunities for recreation, wellness and community connection for generations to come.