Donald J. Lamoreaux Park, 4585 Coit Ave NE, Grand Rapids ~ January 2021

The first time we tried to find this park, google led us astray so the next time we were in the area we tried again, found it, and returned another day. This was the last day the sun shone here 😏 
We started out on this long path that lead towards the river, and we didn't hold out much hope for this person that lost a purse back in October.
There are no maps or trail markers so when we came to the first fork in the road we hung right and saved the left for the next time.
There are several small paths that diverge from the main trail and we took them all.
No need to worry about getting lost because all routes end up back at the main path.
There are a few creeks and then the mighty Grand River makes its appearance.
There's warm water running under here and emptying into the Grand River.
On our next visit we smelled sewage near the park entrance - ugh.
After walking for about a mile along the river, the trail turns and starts looping back around towards the parking lot. But not before running into a graffiti wall and a small mountain.
Views from the top.
It was a hard scrabble up but we found an easier path down.
Someone had taken the time to build several snow people and take a slush walk.
Our next time at the park we took the aforementioned left turn and found this when we got to the river.
Seeing nothing untoward, we ventured forth.
We walked on along the river and came upon these logs but never found the promised viewing platform.
The path hit a dead end on a residential street. A guy sitting on his front porch gave us a wave and we said we'd be out of his way in a minute. He laughed and said the trail closed signs have been up for two years, after a flood, and the township never took them down.
So we backtracked, got back to main trail, and took the loop back around.
We found the remains of the snow people from three days ago.
Depending on how many detour trails you take, you can walk from 2.5 to 3.5 miles at this park, and even more if you climb the mountain. Be forewarned that some of the small divergent trails have some major but brief elevation changes. The main path is level, not paved, but very accessible. There are no facilities here and tons of dog poop so plan and walk accordingly. It's an overall very pleasing park to walk.
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Clear Springs Nature Preserve, 3585 W. Fruitvale Road, Montague

Image
This gorgeous 100 or so acreage preserve has about 3 miles of trails and was one of the earliest trading posts in the area (1848, according to Montague Township).  In the 1950s, the property was owned by North Star Fish Hatchery, the Bob Wesley family, and remnants of that can still be seen. In the 1990s, the land was slated to become a 90-home development but Montague Township raised the money to purchase it instead and preserved this beautiful place. Walk the six different trails and find tree stands, turtles, and informative signs. A short distance on the Rim Trail will bring you to this impressive stand of trees. Elevation changes are minimal so the trails are not difficult. Enjoy this scenic and unique preserve!  
Read more

Aman Park, 0-1859 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids ~ May 2021

Image
5-11-21 This is the view looking up from the grave of the man who donated these 331 acres to the City of Grand Rapids in 1926. He selected his burial site and was buried here in 1928. Thank you, Jacob Aman. There is one other historic monument in the park, that remembering Edwin Sweet (1847 - 1935). He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1874 and became Mayor of Grand Rapids 1904-1906. He, however, is not buried under this rock. After finding these spots we set off on one of the many beautiful dirt trails. We crossed these two bridges and were amazed at the fields of trillium and bluebells, flowing through the woods like rivers. Wild Phlox, Wild Geranium, and Jack-in-the-Pulpit 5-13-21 Today we returned to the park to take a few larger loop trails. Although there are markers here and there (not enough of them), this is the only map (at the main entrance). We took a pre-printed one with us but if you are color-blind, it won't help you. The map doesn't have co
Read more

Huff Park, 2399 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids

Image
12-6-20 We first started walking in Huff Park during Covid. It is a lovely nature sanctuary right in the city of Grand Rapids. You can walk a short, 1/2 mile loop or the longer 1 mile loop and it remains very flat. Elevated boardwalks take you over wetlands, and the woods are lovely in any season. 1-8-21 It's still beautiful and walkable with snow on the ground. 12-23-23 Last December we found a great blue heron and had another nice walk, except for all the people talking on their cell phones 😒 Let's add  no cell phones usage to this sign (unless it's an emergency) and let us all enjoy the peaceful beauty of nature 💓 Walk on!
Read more