Press Release: Major investment in extension of Grand River Greenway in Kent County

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 04/01/2022 12:31 PM EDT

For immediate release - April 1, 2022
Press contact: Jessica VanGinhoven, 616-786-4847

Ottawa County Parks commends major investment in extension of Grand River Greenway into neighboring communities; encourages collaboration in Ottawa County.

The Grand River Greenway project has been a primary focus for the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation since its inception in 1987. Although most work by the County on the Greenway has been within the approximately 40-mile stretch of the River within Ottawa County, there has long been a sense that it was a concept that could grow.

“A key part of the vision for the Grand River Greenway is for a ‘model ecological and cultural multi-use corridor along the Grand River,’” said Ottawa County Parks Director Jason Shamblin. “Our Commission and staff had long felt that the Greenway should extend beyond our borders into neighboring communities, and everyone involved should do their best to integrate everything into a seamless user experience.”

With the signing of Public Act 53 of 2022 by Governor Whitmer on March 30 – which includes the appropriation of $55 million to Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc for River-focused parks and trails projects in Grand Rapids and Kent County, the idea of an integrated Greenway took a major step toward becoming a reality.

“The dream of connecting our communities was a driving factor in the success of the Grand River Greenway Capital Campaign,” said Al Vanderberg, Kent County Administrator. “This is the idea that captured Peter Secchia’s imagination. Peter loved the lakeshore and Kent County and loved the thought of bringing them together – that’s why he got involved in the Campaign as co-chair. It is tremendous to see the Greenway carried forward and to have such a substantial investment by the State of Michigan.”

Many of our supporters for the Greenway Capital Campaign have ties to Grand Rapids and supported the project because focusing on the Grand River through West Michigan would be a benefit for the health and wellness of our community.

"Just as the work being done to protect and provide access to the Greenway in Ottawa County benefits all of West Michigan the projects in Grand Rapids and Kent County will boost our efforts,” said Shamblin.

The Greenway had modest beginnings: In 1987, Ottawa County Parks managed 38 acres of land along the Grand River in just 2 parks. A few years later, the Commission made the Greenway a priority project with the goal of protecting key natural and recreational lands along the River and then connecting them with recreational land and water trails.

The effort has made major strides: Ottawa County Parks now manages 17 parks properties with River access, covering 3,204 acres. The Grand River Heritage Water Trail connects these parks (as well as parks managed by others) together with a series of universally accessible kayak launches with work underway to add new access points. Work also continues to complete the 36.5-mile Idema Explorers Trail on the south side of the River. This pathway will connect Grand Haven to the border with Kent County in Georgetown Township and includes significant scenic riverfront sections.

As the Greenway initiative was moving forward, Ottawa County Parks officials have worked to collaborate on integrating land and water trails with counterparts across the Grand River watershed, with the understanding that the amenities being created in Ottawa County would have greater appeal as part of a system of parks and trails stretching across West Michigan.

“Our motto for the Idema Explorers Trail is ‘Explore for a Day; Explore for a Lifetime,” said Shamblin. “Our goal is to make the Greenway a destination which our residents could visit again and again and find something new or for visitors looking to make longer trips that could last a week or longer. Building up the Greenway in Kent County and Grand Rapids helps to accomplish this.”

With the Grand River Greenway Capital Campaign completed and several major projects in motion, Ottawa County Parks is hoping to initiate new collaborations to better take advantage of this resource. In 2021, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners and Parks Commission adopted a resolution encouraging all communities and stakeholders along the River in Ottawa County to collaborate more formally. Additionally, two studies with a regional scope focused on the ecology and culture of the Greenway were completed. (The Grand River Identity Study and Grand River Coastal Corridor Assessment and Recommendations).

The infusion of funding into the Greenway in Kent County and projects by other partners in Ottawa County such as Renew Harbor Island show that additional coordination is needed to harness all the momentum from the work going on to make the Grand River Greenway a national destination. Over the next several months, Ottawa County Parks officials will be engaging with local stakeholders to enhance cooperation and collaboration.

>> Click here to apply online <<

In the meantime, Ottawa County Parks is planning to reach several key Greenway milestones over the next two years:

Idema Explorers Trail

Jenison Mill Segment

This one-mile segment will be located along the riverfront and includes a crossing of Rush Creek. It will complete a three-mile stretch of trail from the Bend Area to the Kent County border and a connection to the larger regional trail network. This segment will also feature the Grand Connection arch honoring Peter Secchia, who was a co-chair of the Greenway Campaign and dreamed of connecting Millennium Park to Lake Michigan. The arch will mark the border between Ottawa and Kent counties.

Bill Idema Moraine Nature Segment

This 1.3-mile segment of trail will connect Grand Ravines and Grand River Park and feature parking access and modern restroom accommodations on the west and east sides, scenic riverfront views, and a crossing of Willow Creek. The connection between the two parks creates a seamless experience, allowing visitors to explore the nine miles of paved and natural surface trails across the combined 364-acres of park.

>> Idema Explorers Trail updates can be found here

Ottawa Sands

With the assistance of major philanthropic gifts through the Ottawa County Parks Foundation, a $5.2-million effort to implement several components of the regenerative approach of the Ottawa Sands Master Plan has been initiated. The centerpiece being the Idema Explorers Camp that is certain to become a unique attraction along the Grand River Greenway.

Idema Explorers Camp

Due to its location, Ottawa Sands serves as a logical endpoint for anyone enjoying an extended adventure along the Idema Explorers Trail. As announced in our last newsletter, the outfitted campground plan including tent pads, a Tree House Village, and a Yurt Village were fully funded by the Idema Family. In order to ensure that work could begin on the campground, an additional and significant gift from the Bill and Bea Idema Foundation was confirmed this fall. This generous gift provides funding for needed infrastructure and support facilities, including an entry drive, Idema Explorers Trail extension, utilities, kayak launch, and welcome/information station. Now that work is commencing on the campground and entry drive, the possibility of seeking complementary state and federal funding to complete the day-use parking area near the current entrance as well as the 1.6-mile lake loop is being explored. As the project develops, more information will be available.

Day-Use Area/Lake Loop Pathway

Grants applications were submitted to assist with funding additional recreational improvements to Ottawa Sands that would greatly enhance access to the park for people of all abilities. These projects include a day-use parking area with ADA parking spaces, a modern accessible restroom facility, a bike/pedestrian linkage into Ottawa Sands, and a 1.6-miles accessible loop around the 80-acre inland lake.

Wetland Enhancements

Planning has begun for the creation and restoration of wetlands at Ottawa Sands that was spurred by the Great Lakes Office of Audubon receiving a $400,000 Sustain Our Great Lakes grant for the project. Earlier this year, staff from Michigan DNR Fisheries Division and Michigan Sea Grant collected additional data about the lake that will feed into the design and engineering of enhanced naturalized areas of shoreline. Design work on the park’s wetlands will continue through 2022, with the goal of improving the sustainability of the fish populations within the lake, while simultaneously creating habitat for other wetland wildlife.

>> More details about Ottawa Sands and to see the Master Plan can be found here

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Ottawa County | Where You Belong

Operations, improvements and programs are funded by grants, private donations, and a parks millage. If you own a $150,000 home, you pay $26 annually investing in opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education today and for future generations. Thank you. Learn more about the 7,000 acres of park land in Ottawa County at miOttawa.org/Parks

Ottawa County Parks &
Recreation Commission

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