The Ottawa County Parks Foundation and Herman Miller Cares have partnered to further improve the ecological value of land within the Grand River Greenway and construct a key segment of the Idema Explorers Trail.
“The Grand River Greenway Initiative will help protect and enhance our local natural areas and create a better world around us all, which is why we are happy to become a partner. Many of our employees live and work in West Michigan, and will have the opportunity to enjoy this trail and the surrounding natural areas with friends and family for years to come.”
Gabe Wing, Director of Sustainability, Herman Miller
“Giving everyone access to the scenic spaces and connected trails along the Grand River Greenway will improve the quality of life for current and future West Michigan residents,” said Bobbi Jones Sabine, President of the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. “We know that trails and outdoor recreation benefit not only health but the local economy as well. That makes it exciting that a local yet global company like Herman Miller is partnering with us on this trail initiative. We believe that the Greenway will give our West Michigan-based companies an edge in attracting future employees who are excited about living, working, and playing in this great community,” said Sabine.
Creating great spaces
Through this partnership, Herman Miller Cares has adopted a two-mile segment of the Idema Explorers Trail. Their contribution will support the completion of trail along Green St and 128th Avenue in Robinson Township; construction is slated to begin in 2020. When complete, it will connect the city of Grand Haven to Connor Bayou, the M-231 Bridge, the Spoonville Trail, and Riverside Park.
The future construction has not delayed Herman Miller’s commitment to improving the ecological value along the a portion of trail that is already complete, which travels through Connor Bayou and includes the M-231 Trailhead. Already this fall the Herman Miller Sustainability Resource Team has hosted two volunteer workdays for their employees. Together they planted nearly 2,500 native plants at the trailhead, establishing critical habitat and creating a Monarch Waystation for migrating butterflies and other pollinators.
“At Herman Miller, we create great spaces. We’re using that same vision as inspiration for the M-231 Trailhead to help the Ottawa County Parks create great natural spaces that will get people outdoors.”
Diane Bunse, Herman Miller Cares
More information about the Grand River Greenway
The Idema Explorers Trail is being constructed in phases along the south side of the Grand River. Once completed, the non-motorized multi-use pathway will be 36.5 miles in length and will connect together eight county and state parks in Ottawa County. It also connects Millennium Park to Grand Haven for the first time, the two Grand Valley State University campuses together, and hundreds of miles of regional trails including a direct route to downtown Grand Rapids.
Quick facts:
- There are 14 Ottawa County Park properties with over 2,700 acres of land along the Grand River Greenway
- In addition to the 36.5-mile paved trail, the greenway also features the Grand River Heritage Water Trail and a historic features tour for motorists (Historic River Road).
- There are over 9,000 acres of public land between Grand Haven and Grand Rapids