North Bank Trail on Track in Sping Lake Township

based on a news article in the Muskegon News, "Paved path on course for upgrade, " by Terry Judd, April 11, 2009

Since 2007, the Friends of the North Bank Greenway Trail have been working hard to make use of the old Grand Trunk rail line between Grand Haven and Coopersville. It looks like that dream may soon begin to be realized.

The Ottawa County Planning Commission approved a resolution in October 2007 to look into trail plans. Last month, Spring Lake Township officials applied for a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to build the first 1.5 miles of the trail. Eventually the North Bank Trail would be 18 miles long and would link the existing Spring Lake Village Lakeside Trail with the Musketawa Trail (which connects Marne and Muskegon).

The first mile would run from Fruitport Road east to 144th Avenue. Although short the section would be attractive, with a raised berm above a wetland. Negotiations with property owners will be required to continue the next section. A side path would connect Lloyd's Bayou Drive to the North Bank Trail allowing access to Lloyd's Bayou Senior Apartments, Orchard Market and Burger King.

In 1976 the Grand Trunk Railroad shut down the Coopersville-Grand Haven line and removed the tracks. The townships of Spring Lake, Crockery and Polkton still own much of the right of way, but portions have been sold. Still, some people have hoped to see it used as a trail since the beginning, and three years ago the Friends of the North Bank Greenway Trail officially formed.

The West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition is handling donations to the project.

See West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition
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