Grand River Drowning Victim Recovered

Grand River search (still from a WZZM video)

compiled from various sources

A 60-year-old man attempted to swim across the Grand River in Kent County, Michigan, on Friday July 31. During the swim, he disappeared and emergency personnel were called.

The search was called off at dusk.

On Saturday, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Kent County Sheriff's Office Dive Team located the victim approximately 15 feet out from the western riverbank, about one-quarter mile downstream from where he was last seen in the water.

The incident occurred near Johnson Park. Grandville Deputy Chief Darin Rietman encourages swimmers to take precautions in the river. "Don't try to swim across the Grand River, that current can be unpredictable, can be strong," Rietman said. There is also a lot of debris.

See WZZM TV


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Formerly White Mountain Preserved as Chigidaaki

the Chigidaaki reserve (photo from the Little Traverse Conservancy)

from M-Live

The area formerly known as White Mountain is now protected since the Little Traverse Conservancy purchased the land in May 2025.

This 654-acre reserve in Charlevoix County, Michigan, will host a trail network. Existing two-track roads will be converted to a non-motorized trail system. The trails include grand views of Boyne City and Lake Charlevoix. Signage will be added, but visitors at the present time should use some other method of wayfinding.

Visitors to Chigidaaki can use the existing two tracks to experience the reserve’s hilly hardwood terrain, large open meadows and sweeping views of Lake Charlevoix and Boyne City.

Chigidaaki is Anisinaabemowin for Place of the Big Hill. A major donor worked with the Little Traverse Bay Band of the Odawa Indians to create the name.

Even more amazing, the reserve abuts more that 100,000 acres of state land, including the Pigeon River Country State Forest, and Gaylord State Forest. This will provide habitat for animals that need a large territory such as black bears and bobcats.

See more at M-Live


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Kayak Launch on Shiawassee to Open

graphic from Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative

from Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative

Months of effort to improve access to the Shiawassee River is resulting in a sustainable and safe access point near Linden, Michigan.

The location has been used for years to access the river but without any sort of infrastructue to make the access less challenging. Instead of a steep bank and roadside parking, there will be off-raod parking and a stable, well-designed entry point to the river.

"The Hogan Road launch is the perfect exit point after an hour-and-a-half trip from downtown Linden—the perfect length for families with young children and 'newbies.' It is also the gateway to the rest of the river," said Maggie Yerman, a dedicated Keepers of the Shiawassee member.

An official ribbon cutting will be September 1, 2026

See more at Community Foundation of Greater Flint


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Ottaway Crossing Footbridge Seeks Expanded Access

Ottaway Crossing Footbridge (photo from Grand Traverse Conservation District)

from Grand Traverse Conservation District

The Ottaway Crossing Footbridge created a new connection across the Boardman-Ottaway River. Now, a $50,000 matching challenge from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation gives the Grand Traverse Conservation District the opportunity to make that connection accessible to even more people. The fund matching lasts only through today, July 31, 2026.

The plan is to create a universal-access trail loop and a first-of-its-kind river viewing space on the east side of the river at the Natural Education Reserve. It will also support the restoration of sensitive areas surrounding the bridge, protecting the landscape, while expanding opportunities for education, recreation, and connection with the outdoors.

The Grand Traverse Conservation District recently installed this 160-foot pedestrian bridge that spans the Boardman-Ottaway River at the location of the former Sabin Dam on Grand Traverse County’s Natural Education Reserve. With over 20,000 visitors at the Natural Education Reserve a year, this bridge, named the Ottaway Crossing, provides the critical connection between miles of popular recreational trails on both sides of the Boardman-Ottaway River, including the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails, Inc.’s (TART) Boardman-Ottaway River Trail that extends 24 miles into the river valley. This trail is part of a larger 41+ mile loop that connects the recently completed Boardman Lake Loop Trail, East Creek Reserve Trails, Brown Bridge Quiet Area, Muncie Lakes Pathway, North Country Trail, Vasa Pathway, and the TART.

Your support can make all the difference! Contribute today to see the Universal Access Trail Loop on the east side of the Boardman-Ottaway River come to life!

Donate Here

See more about the Ottaway Crossing Footbridge


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South Haven Area Emergency Services Rescues

ropes being deployed for Kal-Haven cyclist rescue (photo from South Haven Area Emergency Services)

from South Haven Area Emergency Serives

One rescue reported here took place on private property, but for the second time this month the ropes rescue team has been able to successfully bring a victime to safety.

On July 9, a cyclist went off the Kal-Haven Trail and slid 20-25 feet down a slope into a ravine. Emergency personnel stabilized the patient, deployed rope systems to haul them back to the trail, and used a UTV to transport them roughly half a mile to a waiting ambulance where the person was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

This week, a person fell off a lift designed to carry people up and down a 100-foot Lake Michigan dune. In this case, the victim was placed in a stokes basket, lowered to lake level and then brought back to the top of the dune for transport. The injuries were not life-threatening. However, the resuce took 10 people and more than an hour to accomplish.

This article is a reminder that emergency personnel are highly trained to assist those in need. However, staying safe in the first place is always a good practice.

See article about Kal-Haven rescue


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Johnson Park Trailhead Improvements in Kent County

Johnson Park Trailhead of Grand River Greenway (photo from Carbon Stories)

from Kent County Parks Department

Johnson Park, Kent County's western Grand River Greenway trailhead is being improved. Changes include:
• A brand-new, four-season restroom
• A new playground
• Covered gathering spaces
• A trailhead for the new mountain bike trail system

Kent Trails is a 15-mile, non-motorized paved trail that is a collaborative effort between Kent County Parks, the cities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker and Wyoming, and Byron Township.

Traveling through these six jurisdictions, the trail follows abandoned railroad lines, surface streets, and easements to provide a linear parkway stretching from John Ball Park and Millennium Park to Byron Center.

Four main trailheads provide access to the trail. At the north end, the North Millennium Trailhead is at the northernmost end of Millennium Park, near the John Ball Zoo. At the south end, there's a trailhead in Byron Center on 84th Street Along the way, spur trails lead to trailheads at Johnson Park and Douglas Walker Park. You can also access the trail at any cross street along the route.

The new Johnson Park Trailhead is expected to open this fall

See Kent Trails


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White Pine Trail Gets New Bridge at Paris

White Pine bridge at Paris, MI (photo from Friends of the White Pine Trail)

from West Michigan Trails

Two skilled crane operators swung two multi-ton bridge pieces which were then connected to form a 90 ft. bridge over Buckhorn Creek in Paris. This is on the 92-mile White Pine multi-use trail, as it passes through the village of Paris, Michigan.

The Buckhorn Dam, a failing culvert and tons of dirt were removed prior to placing the bridge sections. It will be several more weeks before work is complete and the bridge will be open for use.

Several historic sites are nearby including a 125-year-old ice house and Michigan's second fish hatchery, built in 1884.

Interpretation will be completed next summer, and the town's replica of the Eiffel Tower has already been moved to a location adjacent to the trail. The tower was constructed from bed frames originally used by hatchery employees.

See Buckhorn Dam to Be Removed


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More NCT May Come Off Road Near Lowell

possible trail corridor (photo from North Country Trail Association)

a news release of North Country Trail Association

For 20+ years, alongside the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the North Country Trail Association has been eyeing a retired railroad corridor outside of Lowell, Michigan. The NCTA's goal is to utilize it to move more North Country Trail off-road.

Now, thanks to this dedicated partnership between the Association, DNR, MDOT, and Kent County Parks Department, as well as the generosity of a private donor, we're making significant strides toward making this dream a reality.

This spring, partners led NCTA and National Park Service staff on a tour of various segments along this route. When complete, 5.5 miles of NCT will be moved off-road, allowing trail users to wander more safely across this scenic farmland. From the MDOT side, this project will help develop a multi-use, non-motorized trail closing the last unfunded gap in the 125-mile Fred Meijer Mid-West Michigan Regional Trail network, allowing for uninterrupted use across six counties from Owosso to Lowell to Greenville to Alma.

See North Country Trail Association


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Attend Virtual Planning for Interlochen State Park

Interlochen State Park (photo from the Michigan DNR)

a news release of Michigan DNR

Join the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at a virtual public meeting 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, to learn about and share feedback on a new draft general management plan for Interlochen State Park in Grand Traverse County.

At the meeting, DNR staff will present an overview of the draft plan, proposed park improvements and the planning process, followed by an opportunity for people to ask questions and provide comment. Advance meeting registration is required.

For those unable to attend, the meeting will be recorded and posted online approximately one week after the event. An interactive public input survey is also available through Aug. 23 for people to provide feedback.

The DNR uses general management plans to define a long-range planning and management strategy that protects the resources of a park while addressing recreation and education needs and opportunities.

Register for the planning meeting


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Possible Leakage at Hodenpyl Dam

Hodenpyl Dam and Pond

mostly from M-Live

The severe flooding this spring has changed the condition of many of the dams that Consumers Energy has been trying to sell to a third party, and is one of the factors affecting the status of that salw. One of the potential problem areas is at Hodenpyl Dam near Mesick, Michigan, on the Manistee River.

There are potential leaks, sinkholes and damage to sheet piling at Hodenpyl. Inspection could require shutting off the flow of water, and dewatering parts of the river. This could impact fish and other aquatic wildlife, as well as recreation. The inspection is being delayed until August as Consumers Energy contemplates a way to keep some water flowing downstream during that time.

Dam failure is not considered a concern, but inspection and repairs do need to take place soon. Consumers is recommending the condition be checked before fall.

Hodenpyl impounds 2025 surface acres of water, and is considered "high hazard," because failure is likely to cause property damage and death. The dam pond and the Manistee River are high value recreation venues. A portion of the North Country Trail closely follows the shore of the pond.


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Alpine Firefighters Use what3words to Rescue Cyclist

recue in progress (photo from Alpine Firefighters)

from Alpine Firefighters Association

Alpine Township Fire Department (Kent County, Michigan) responded this week to a report of an injured mountain biker on the Perrin Flow Trail of the Wahlfield Park trail system. This is in a remote section of the park and is not easily reached by traditional emergency apparatus.

The location of the injured cyclist was pinpointed using what3words. This location system divides the globe into 3-meter squares each with a unique address consisting of three words.

Kent County Sheriff's Office dispatch relayed that location to responding crews in real time. Alpine Firefighters determined the fastest entry point to reach the victim, always a challenge in remote locations. Advanced Life Support personnel assesed and treated the patient before transporting to a hospital.

The ATVs used to reach the site were received through the Firehouse Subs Foundation grant program. The department states that this is a good example of layering technology with traditional radio communication to locate and aid the injured person in a timely manner.


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Kent County Dog Park Opens

aerial view of Kent Co. Dog Park (photo from Wahlfield Construction)

from Kent County Parks

The new Kent County, Michigan, 10-acre, fully fenced, off-leash dog park will open Friday, July 24, 2026. A grand opening celebration is planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wahlfield Park - North, located at 7117 M-37 in Comstock Park.

A facility of this size dedicated to dog recreation is highly unusual. Ben Swayze, director of the Kent County Parks Department, said, “Wahlfield Dog Park fills a need we've heard from the community for years.”

The park is completely enclosed and features
• a swimming pond with jumping dock (for dogs only)
• a 1-acre area for small dogs
• a 2-acre open activity field
• crushed stone walking trails through natural areas
• a four-season family restroom with a dog wash station

The park hours will be from 7 am until sunset.

Dogs must be spayed/neutered to use the facility. Complete rules can be found at the link below.

See Kent County Parks


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