Via RapidGrowthMedia.com

Since launching in 2000, the West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition has overseen roughly $27 million in trail investment for the 585 miles of trail in its network. Last month it announced nearly $3 million between two projects on the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail that runs from Lowell to Belding. Several other Fred Meijer trials will soon be under construction, including critical connections in the Berry Junction, Kenowa and Standale trails. Meanwhile, the Lowell Area Trailway campaign just announced that it had met its $1.1 million fundraising goal.

Much of it built along abandoned railroads and with the same formula of public support, philanthropy and engaged citizenry responsible for the region’s marquee attractions, several hundred miles of improved trails are now available or under development.

The dozen trails in the Fred Meijer Trail System will link Grand Rapids to Rockford, Cadillac, Big Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, Hart, Saugatuck and a host of communities in between. Shorter nature escapes such as Huff and Riverside Parks and Blandford Nature Center are minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. Single-track mountain bike venues are nearby. And there are also a wide variety of natural hiking trails in the region, including premiere segments along the Lakeshore and the North Country National Scenic Trail that passes through Lowell (its national headquarters) and northern Kent County on its way to the Upper Peninsula and onward to North Dakota.

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