GRAND HAVEN, Mich. -- Ottawa County Parks will celebrate the newest addition to the Idema Explorers Trail with a dedication event Thursday afternoon in Grand Haven.
It will be for the Bayou Segment, a connection that will enable safe crossings over the Stearns Bayou and other challenging barriers. A combination of state and federal grants are paying for the project, plus some philanthropic support.
The six-mile Bayou Segment links more than one-thousand acres of parkland, and completes the western third of the Idema Explorers Trail. That includes about two-and-a-half-miles of newly constructed trail through Robinson Township.
Here are more details from an Ottawa County Parks news release:
A major milestone in West Michigan’s trail network has been achieved with the completion of the Bayou Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail in Robinson Township. The six-mile Bayou Segment links over 1,000 acres of parkland and completes the western third of the Idema Explorers Trail, creating the longest continuous stretch of the trail to date. Improvements include:
- 2.4 miles of newly constructed trail through Robinson Township
- The recently expanded and dedicated Lydia Secory Verplank Memorial Bridge—a 14-foot-wide, multi-use pedestrian bridge spanning Stearns Bayou, featuring two scenic overlooks
- New wayfinding signage in Grand Haven to support navigation and connectivity
This project was made possible through a combination of federal, county, and philanthropic support:
- The federal Transportation Alternatives Program administered through MDOT: $3,428,238
- Ottawa County ARPA: $2,000,000
- Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund: $300,000
- Ottawa County Parks Foundation: $182,458
The Idema Explorers Trail, when fully completed, will span 36.5 miles, serving as the backbone of Ottawa County’s portion of the Grand River Greenway. This regional initiative aims to link Grand Haven to Grand Rapids and beyond, providing continuous non-motorized access along the south side of the Grand River.
Construction of the trail system began in 2017 and has progressed in strategic phases, thanks to extensive public and private partnerships. Several projects are slated for 2025 including the construction of the first three miles of the Bass River Segment and the construction of the 2.3-mile Eastmanville Segment. Click here to read more about these upcoming projects.
For maps, project updates, or to plan your next trail adventure, visit grandrivergreenway.org.
The Grand River Greenway is a model ecological and cultural corridor along the Grand River. It will preserve significant natural, historical, and cultural features as well as promote healthier, happier, and more vibrant communities.
###
Photo: Source: Ottawa County Parks.