Ottawa County Parks Foundation’s Grand River Greenway Campaign receives $50,000 grant from Consumers Energy Foundation
Progress continues to be made on fundraising for the Grand River Greenway and the Idema Explorers Trail with a $50,000 gift from the Consumers Energy Foundation.
Back row L-R: Rich Houtteman, Consumers Energy; Tom Werkman, Ottawa County Parks Foundation; Curt TerHaar, Ottawa County Parks. Back row L-R: Bradley Plummer and Katherine Green, J.H. Campbell Plant Staff/Consumers Energy; Monica Verplank, Grand River Greenway Committee Co-Chair; Carolyn Bloodworth, Consumers Energy Foundation
“‘Leaving it better than we found it’ is a stand we’ve taken as a company and a foundation as we consider Michigan’s future,” said Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “We have called this great state home for 130 years and the contribution to Ottawa County Parks’ Grand River Greenway will help ensure continued access to the river and adjacent trails for generations and provide citizens of all ages unlimited opportunities to hike and explore the area’s natural beauty.”
The greenway campaign is is the culmination of a 30-year vision to protect thousands of acres of high quality natural and recreational lands along the Grand River in Ottawa County and then connect the lands with a multi-use trail, the Idema Explorers Trail.
To accomplish the vision of the Grand River Greenway, Ottawa County Parks plans to acquire 700 acres of additional land and construct 27 miles of new trail (with 13 miles of the trail along or near the river or other water features). This will require $21 million in funding, with the Parks Foundation seeking $7.2 million in philanthropic gifts to leverage anticipated public funding. The Parks Foundation has raised nearly $5.7 million.
“We appreciate the Consumers Energy Foundation’s consideration and support of the Grand River Greenway," said Monica Verplank, co-chair of the Grand River Greenway Committee. "Recent studies continue to illustrate the positive affect even a brief dose of nature has on our overall wellbeing. As community leaders we have a responsibility to encourage and support healthy lifestyle options for our community members. Providing access to green space and connecting our communities with the Idema Explorers Trail is a key piece of our vision. We couldn’t do it without the support of our partners.”
Consumers Energy, its foundation, employees and retirees last year contributed over $17 million to Michigan nonprofits. The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy, providing funds for education, community, civic and cultural development, social services, the environment, and emerging issues.
Idema Explorers Trail construction at Connor Bayou
Progress also continues on the construction of the trail. The 3.9-mile segment along North Cedar Drive in Robinson Township is nearly complete. This section of trail connects Connor Bayou to Riverside Park. It also connects the Spoonville Trail to the south side of the M-231 pedestrian bridge. Scheduled construction for 2018 includes:
A connection between the Grand Valley State University campus in Allendale to Grand Ravines Park. This one-mile segment will be named the Versluis Path in honor of Phillip & Joyce Versluis.
A segment that connects the Bend Area to Jenison, near the Kent County Border.