 Grand River Greenway in Grand Rapids (photo from the Grand River Network) |
compiled from various sources
Three decades ago, leaders in Ottawa and Kent Counties, Michigan, envisioned a trail that would follow the Grand River from Lowell to Lake Michigan. The Grand is Michigan's longest river at 252 miles.
An overall vision for what this project could be, and long-range planning are bringing the concept closer to reality. The Grand River Greenway is not one single project. Multiple partners are working together to connect individual segments to create a continuous pathway.
Several segments are currently under construction or are recently completed.
The Bayou Segment of the Idema Explorer Trail in Grand Haven is open, including a 14-foot-wide, multi-use pedestrian bridge over Stearns Bayou. “This will complete a 13-mile-long route from the end of the Grand Haven pier to Riverside Park, connecting several Greenway parks together while also establishing the longest continuous section of the trail to date,” said Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission President Kelly Rice.
Work has continued on the Bass River Segment from Riverside Park in Robinson Township to the Bass River State Recreation Area in Allendale Township. This portion of the greenway is in progress and will be 7.4 miles long.
The Eastmanville Connector Segment continues another 3 miles to the east, and has been funded by the Natural Resources Trust Fund.
By the end of 2026 several portions and related projects are expected to be complete:
• New trail connections in Kent County from White Pine Trail State Park to downtown Ada
• New trail connections in Ottawa County to and through Bass River State Recreation Area
• Expanded year-round recreational amenities at Johnson Park
• Dam removal and habitat restoration in the Grand River to restore the rapids. Sea lamprey barriers will be installed
• New river access and public space in the Market Avenue corridor of downtown Grand Rapids
 overview map of the Greenway (from the Grand River Greenway Framework for Vision and Action) |
$150 million of work will be completed in 2026, funded by both public and private dollars, including American Rescue Act funds, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Natural Resources Trust Fund, and philanthropic donations.
The full Grand River Greenway project is expected to be completed by 2031.
See the Grand River Greenway Framework for Vison and Action, a pdf
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