Lake St. Clair Star Of Tourism Effort Options

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Lake St. Clair Star Of Tourism Effort

Destinations along its shoreline highlighted

BY MELANIE D. SCOTT
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


Metropolitan Beach, the Grosse Pointe War Memorial and Belle Isle are three of more than 50 sites organizers of the Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative hope residents and visitors will explore this summer through a newly created tour.

The group is to launch its Lake St. Clair Circle the Lake Tour campaign Saturday at the Detroit Boat Show at Cobo Hall. A tour map will highlight attractions, restaurants and other destinations along the shoreline of the lake from the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron that are reachable by car or boat, in hopes that people will take the self-guided tour.

"Our initiative isn't about attracting people from Chicago, but people from Oakland or Livingston and other counties to visit the lake because it's a great asset to the area," said Brad Simmons, executive director of the Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative.

Patterned after the state's circle tours highlighting the Great Lakes, organizers of the nonprofit Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative want to bring the same attention to the smaller lake, which is within a one-hour drive for more than 8 million southeastern Michigan residents.

The Macomb County Economic Development Office has been involved with the initiative since the group was formed in May 2008.

"There are a lot of great destinations around the lake and not enough people know about them," said Justin Robinson, senior economic development specialist. "If we help educate others and increase the awareness, I think it will spur additional growth."

For lifelong area residents, such as Leonard Hines, the tour presents an opportunity to discover new places without spending a lot of money.

"Everybody knows about Lake Shore Drive and Metro Beach, but I would like to learn about new places around here," said Hines, 59, of Detroit.

Communities such as Harrison Township, with tour destinations like the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, support the initiative.

"I think it's a fantastic idea because it's about time we market our natural resource," said Anthony Forlini, township supervisor.

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