Update From Kent County Parks & Rec
Grand River Greenway
Progress continues on several sections of the Grand River Greenway project as we work toward completing an east–west non-motorized connection across Kent County:
Northland Drive Tunnel – One of the premier features of the Grand River Greenway, this tunnel will provide a safe passage under Northland Drive at the Rogue River Drive intersection—eliminating the need to cross seven lanes of traffic on one of the busiest roads in northern Kent County. The project will also include ½ mile of non-motorized trail along the east side of Northland Drive, connecting 7 Mile Road to the north and Cannonsburg Road to the south.
We're currently wrapping up permit requirements with the Michigan Department of Transportation with groundbreaking planned for early spring. Construction will take place in several phases, with completion anticipated in late fall 2026.
Cannonsburg Trail – This section of non-motorized trail will connect the Northland Drive trail currently under construction to the future Pettis Avenue trail. The project is divided into two segments—Northland Drive to Chauncey Avenue and Chauncey Avenue to Pettis Avenue. Both segments are expected to go out for bid this spring, with construction anticipated to begin in early summer 2026 and continue through late fall 2026.
Pettis Trail – This project includes 3.5 miles of separated non-motorized trail through the rolling hills of Cannon and Ada Townships. Once completed, the trail will connect the Cannonsburg Trail to existing Ada Township trails at Knapp Street and Pettis Avenue, near the Forest Hills Eastern campus. Our team hosted several public meetings earlier this year, and the project will go out for bid in early spring 2026. We anticipate construction beginning by early summer 2026.
Knapp Street Bridge – This project will include new sections of asphalt path, several raised boardwalks, and a steel non-motorized bridge attached to the existing vehicle bridge on Knapp Street across the Grand River. When completed, this critical crossing will connect miles of trails in Ada Township and Grand Rapids Township directly to the Grand River Greenway. The project also includes the permitted relocation of the federally protected snuffbox mussel, which will take place in early June of this year. Construction will ramp up following the relocation, but due to the complexity of the project, completion is expected in mid-2027.
Johnson Park
Designated as the west Grand River Greenway Trailhead for Kent County, Johnson Park continues to gain attention with several improvement projects underway, including a four-season family style restroom, an updated playground, new covered gathering spaces, and construction of a comprehensive adaptive mountain bike trail system.
Thanks to fundraising efforts by the West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance, along with increased grant funding from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, we’re excited to share that the mountain bike trail system has grown from six miles to eight.
While the winter months slowed down development, our builder should ramp up construction this spring with trails ready for riding by late summer 2026. The rest of the improvements are getting ready for bid this summer.
Want to Get Involved?
Register for one of the many workdays available on our website and let us know if you have a park, project, or group you'd like to include. Here's a preview of upcoming spring tree planting opportunities:
Tree Planting at Dwight Lydell Park – April 21
