Petoskey Adds Trailside Art

bench scupture in Bayfront Park (photo from Top of Michigan Trails Council)

fromTop of Michigan Trails Council

Public art installations bring shared experiences, an enhanced sense of place, and community pride to an area. They can even increase tourism. Trail-side art brings enjoyment to trail users.

Bayfront Park in Petoskey has a growing array of public art. A large bronze sculpture (by Gillie and Marc) depicting a rabbit and a deer sitting on a park bench is located across from the waterfall on the lake side of East Bayfront Drive.

Another work is a commissioned mural of native fish species in a pedestrian underpass that also houses a public piano. Trail users walk beside a painting of a large swimming sturgeon in one locale. Feedback from visitors has been immensely positive.

See Bayfront Park


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Grand Rapids World of Winter Walking/ Biking Opportunities

Events Calendar

snow snakes (photo from Hey Michigan)

based on a web article from Hey Michigan

The World of Winter Festival 2026 kicks off on January 9, 2026 and runs until March 1. The event is primarily a self-motivated walking tour to see dozens of art installations scattered throughout downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. It bills itself as the largest free winter festival in the United States. To enjoy art of all kinds, food, and economic stimulation are the primary pursuits.

However, there are several planned activities which fall more into the hiking or outdoor recreation category.

There is an ongoing scavenger hunt with weekly prizes. This is open to individuals or teams. The hunt can be completed at your own pace during festival hours. Missions take approximately 1–2 hours to complete and points earned enter you into weekly prize draws. Teams can consist of any number of participants. A mobile device with the GooseChase app is required

A number of guided walks to various art istallations are being offered. The event calendar lists more dates than the event links. The certain dates for these are:
• January 23, 6-7 pm. Meet at Rosa Parks Circle. Led by Candice Smith who will share the stories and inspiration behind each piece. Free. No registration needed.
• February 6- same info as above.
• February 14- same info as above.
• February 26- same info as above.
• February 21- 3-4 pm. Meet at Rosa Parks Circle. Window display walking tour. Learn the stories behind each installation, meet the creative minds behind the art, and discover the businesses and historic buildings that host them.
• Other dates for guided walks are listed on the pdf calendar, but no information is available about them.

There is a luminary group bike ride to explore Grand Rapids by bike under luminary lights! This is free and open to riders 18 and older. Helmets are required. Post-ride celebration is also free. See complete details at Luminary Bike Ride

Also of possible interest to outdoor enthusiasts is a Snow Snake competition. This will be held February 28 from 11 am - 4 pm. Experience a traditional northern Native American winter game at this thrilling Snow Snake Competition. Competitors slide handcrafted “snow snakes” down a long snow trough, aiming for the farthest throw.

Participants of all ages can compete in brackets, and the overall winner takes home a $1,000 grand prize. Practice snakes are available for beginners, making this event fun for spectators and first-time throwers alike. Register on-site. Event held at Sixth Stree Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Cost not stated.

See World of Winter official website


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Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Contest 2009

Rachel Carson (photo from NOAA)

a news release of the US EPA

The EPA, Generations United, the Dance Exchange, and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., announce a poetry, essay, photo and dance contest "that best expresses the Sense of Wonder that you feel for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes." We want you to share this love of nature with a child and others around you. When we teach our eyes and ears and senses to focus on the wonders of nature, we open ourselves to the wonders around us.

Contestants will work across generations to share through one of these distinct mediums their own interactions with and reflections on the wonders of nature.

Dance video entries are not limited to the moving body. You can use live performers and/ or capture movement and change visible in nature: birds landing, trees shaking in a storm, a river flowing... Experienced and first time dancers and video makers are encouraged to participate.

Entries are due June 10, 2009

See complete Sense of Wonder contest information
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