Thank you for your question.  I would first recommend doing a soil test to determine the soil fertility this spring. Knowing the type and fertility (pH, macro-nutrient levels, CEC, etc.) of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong/thick turf or ground cover that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs and look great without wasting material or $. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Soil test results will identify any fertility concerns that you can work to correct, to improve turf health (it’s a well spent $26). Your report will provide recommendations to correct any deficiencies found, fertilizer type and a fertilization schedule (amount and timing).
Here are links to articles on and lists of ground covers:
Groundcover Alternatives to Turf-MSU
Groundcover Alternatives to Turf-UDel
Groundcover List - UMd - check plant hardiness for MI use before purchasing
https://extension.psu.edu/native-groundcovers-can-solve-tough-challenges-in-the-landscape
Possible ground cover suggestions include: bearberry (likes acidic soil), wild strawberry, liriope, pussytoes and Pennsylvania sedge.
I wish I knew more about the planned use of this area.  If minimal traffic is contemplated then creating a native plant pollinator garden might also be a possibility.  Understand that native plants are NOT totally maintenance free. They will require periodic care and some may not look so great when dormant.
I recommend reading : "Bringing Nature Home" and "Nature's Best Hope" by Doug Tallamy for more information on the benefits of using native plants and the best plants to select. You can also contact Prairie Moon Nursery (prairiemoon.com) and Prairie Nursery (prairienursery.com) to get their catalogs as both sell a wide variety of native plants and 'lo-mow grass'. Sources of native plants and/or seed in Michigan include East Michigan Native Plants, LLC in Durand (https://www.eastmichnatives.com), Michigan Wildflower Farm (https://www.michiganwildflowerfarm.com) and Wildtypes (https://www.wildtypeplants.com). There may be others as well.  MSU Extension does not endorse any retailers or brands.  Here are links to articles on native plantings:
Neighborly Natural Landscaping Info-PSU
Native Prairie planting example-MSU
Establishing Pollinator Habitat-MSU
Pollinator Habitat Est & Mgmt Guide
Meadows & Prairie Alternatives to Turf-PSU
Native MI plant lists-MSU
Native Plant Bloom Time Chart - MSU
Another factoid: turf will fit in the fastest (this year) but ground covers/native plants will take several years.  I hope this helps.