We aim to ensure that 50% of Grand Rapids residents are within 10 blocks of a natural surface trail by 2029. There are plenty of ways to get involved by building, maintaining, and using these trails!
Trails provide a low- to no-cost way for people to recreate, help preserve natural and cultural resources, minimize our overall impact on the environment, and inspire park conservation efforts. Friends’ trails program builds and maintains natural surface, multi-use trails; provides free trail-building and -maintence education; and hands-on learning in our Grand Rapids parks.
Our trails create healthy, free recreation opportunities by providing everyone in the community a place to spend time outside, take walks, ride bikes, or explore their parks. Making use of our trails and greenways supports Grand Rapids’ public health and wellness.
When people feel connected to our trails, they are more likely to appreciate what the natural world can offer. They can also help foster a deep sense of stewardship and connection to your local park. When there’s a trail through a park, we can care for that space for years to come.
Trails have a positive impact on our community, including increased home value and neighborhood safety. Areas with trails through them experience an economic benefit through increase in tourism and spending. What would otherwise be an “off” season in the winter becomes an opportunity for winter outdoor recreation tourism. And because natural surface trails are more cost-effective to build, we can build more trails, bringing more benefits to our community.
Trails don’t maintain themselves! Come help maintain our beautiful trails with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks staff and other volunteers during our trail work days! Gain hands-on experience clearing drainage, digging tread, and learning new technical skills on various trail projects. Workdays are held outside at Ball Perkins Park. Be ready to get your hands dirty!
We’re supporting the City of Grand Rapids’ Parks and Recreation Department by building and maintaining trails in six city parks:
Welcome and encourage the community to use and access trails for fun, for health, and for a deeper connection with the community, the environment, and one another.
Provide opportunities for all skill levels, creating a variety of beginner, intermediate, and expert trails that provide skill progression for all riders.
Increase access to ensure all residents are within 10 blocks of a natural surface, a multi-use trail system that supports everyone from walkers, runners, birders, bikers, families, and more.
Build inclusive trails following the Kootenay Adaptive Standards, increasing accessibility for adaptive mountain bike users.
Maintain existing natural surface trails in 7 parks, and growing, to keep them fun and safe.
Natural surface trails are ecologically-friendly, less disruptive to park environments, and are easier to maintain long-term when you can’t bring in heavy machinery. We aim to build our trails to the Kootenay Adaptive Standards so everyone who wants to enjoy a trail can do so.
Grand Rapids has a robust network of natural surface and paved non-motorized trails running through different parks around the City. Over time, these trails have been connected together through bike lanes, sidewalks, and riding on roads that are informally known as the Grand Loop.
There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved volunteering, fundraising, and using the trails and other outdoor recreation amenities throughout Grand Rapids.
Join us on upcoming trail days and workshops to help improve the sustainability of existing trails and build new ones!
Weigh in with your input before we shovel any dirt! Check our social media and newsletter for upcoming community engagement and feedback opportunities.
Your gift will support trails in Grand Rapids, providing the resources we need to dig, rake, build, and maintain trails.
Join us on upcoming trail days and workshops to help improve the sustainability of existing trails and build new ones!
Weigh in with your input before we shovel any dirt! Check our social media and newsletter for upcoming community engagement and feedback opportunities.
Your gift will support trails in Grand Rapids, providing the resources we need to dig, rake, build, and maintain trails.
