The Best Trails to Look At Spring’s Sensational Splendor
By Searrah Herendeen
Spring is the time to get back into the outdoors. It has been about a month since the first official day of spring on March 20. The sun is shining, birds are singing, and flowers are starting to bloom. Healthy living is something that the Meijer State Games of Michigan promotes throughout the year. Staying active by walking trails is a great way to participate in the healthy living movement. If you are having a staycation this spring break, here is a list of the best trails to see Michigan's beauty in Kent County and the surrounding areas.
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Aman Park
Visitors should expect to see wildflowers like bluebells and trilliums. There are six self-guided trails to choose from. The park has 100+ acres of heavily wooded area with a creek that runs through the park. Two bridges allow visitors to walk over the stream and see the clear water. Depending on the trail, there are wooden forts made of sticks for children to play in while the parents rest their feet.
Location: 1859 Lake Michigan Dr, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Length: 0.8 - 1.5 mile loops
Difficulty: Beginner
Ken-O-Sha Park
This 100 + acre park is a community and special use park. It includes a basketball court, playground, and hiking and biking trails to entertain children and parents. Plaster Creek Trail starts in this park. On the paved trail, visitors can stand or sit inside a Nature Amplifier that increases the sounds of the forest and creek. Bridges and boardwalks help people cross over the stream. Visitors can also try to identify rocks that were dropped by glaciers. Wildflowers in the trail's meadows are famous in the spring.
Location: 1353 Van Auken St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Length: 2.7 miles
Difficulty: Beginner
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Seidman Park:
A wetland and wooded area with some hills, making it a moderate hike. Seidman Park has three main trails, with two connecting with the Ada Township Trail. Visitors should expect to see a creek with several bridges and a boardwalk on the trail marked blue.
Location: 8155 Conservation St NE, Ada, MI 49301
Length: 0.25 - 1.2 mile loops. Total 5 miles.
Difficulty: Beginner - Intermediate
Millennium Park:
Millennium park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The total length of all the trails equals 18 miles. Woodland, hiking, biking trails, and a beach equal to 1,400 acres. A portion of the park is touched by the Grand River. The 100-acre lake has boat access and six miles of beach. Children can also play on the splash pad in the park. Daily admission is required. Visitors also have the option to rent a boat for an additional fee.
Location: 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534-7022
Length: 0.2 - 2.8 mile loops
Difficulty: Beginner
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Blandford Nature Center:
This center is free to visit for members, but for non-members, there is a $3.00 admission fee. The trails are open daily from dusk until dawn. The property consists of a visitor center, trails, education centers, farmland with animals, animal ambassadors, a historical village, and so much more. Classes and events may require an additional fee. Three main areas consist of multiple trail loops: The Highland with three loops, The Woodland with six loops, and The Farm with four loops. The trails are ADA-accessible. Visitors should expect to see wooded areas and water features on the trails.
Location: 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Length: 0.2 - 1.1 mile loops
Difficulty: Beginner - Intermediate
Fred Meijer White Pine Trail:
Michigan trails are largely connected across the state. This trail runs from Walker to Cadillac, giving it a total length of 90 miles. This trail runs North and South, connecting with 16 different towns and cities. Visitors can choose how far and long they want to walk. Staging areas to access the trail are located in each town. The majority of this trail is paved with some portions of gravel. It is an entirely un-motorized trail in the summer, meaning no motorized vehicles are allowed. The trail is surrounded by trees in where birds and other wildlife love to live.
Location: 12 North Park St. NE, Walker, MI 49544
Length: 2 - 12.9 miles between staging areas
Difficulty: Beginner - Intermediate
Stock Photo of a Scarlet Tanager
The park has two access points. The main one is off Grand River Drive, and the other is Bolt Dr. This park is especially lovely to see wildlife, including migratory Warblers and Scarlet Tanagers. Some lucky trailblazers may have the chance to spot a hawk or owl. The closed-canopy hardwood forest with a small stream, wetlands, and meadows makes the perfect environment for all types of wildlife. A closed canopy means that the tops of the trees block out most of the sun and cover the forest floor in the shade. This helps keep visitors cool during the long walk.
Location: 8900 Grand River Dr. SE, Ada, MI 49301
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate - Advanced
The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event(s) that welcome athletes regardless of age or ability level. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living.