About
Our Story
West Michigan Trails is building a future where West Michigan is more connected: Where trails bring people together, open doors to nature, and make movement a part of everyday life. Across our 18-county region, we unite partners and communities to turn a shared vision into reality. Through coordination, visibility, and advocacy, we advance our vision of a seamless, accessible, and safe network that connects people, trails, and communities.
The People
West Michigian Trails informs and educates potential trail users, encourages respectful trail etiquette, and supports a network designed for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. By expanding access to connected, safe, and inclusive non-motorized transportation and recreation, we inspire more people to use more trails more often. Through this work, we help individuals and families move more, connect more, and live healthier lives.
The Region
West Michigan Trails activates and connects a vast 18-county region by bringing together communities and stakeholders across jurisdictional boundaries to create a fully connected trail and active transportation network, Through coordination, visibility, and advocacy, we advance a shared regional vision that safely links people, places, and paths, and supports both everyday travel and outdoor recreation while enhancing quality of life across West Michigan.
The Economy
West Michigan Trails Strengthens local economies by helping deliver a trail system and experience that attracts use, investment, and activity. through a systems-based approach to trail planning, development, and operations, we support trails as enduring assets that drive tourism, encourage workforce mobility, and create vibrant communities where people want to live, work, and explore.
Our Mission
Connecting people, trails, and communities.
Our Vision
A fully connected West Michigan where trails enhance quality of life for people of all ages and abilities, link communities, and strengthen local economies.
West Michigan Trails: A History of Connection
Our History
A Chance To Connect
West Michigan Trails began with a simple but powerful idea: communities are stronger when connected. Over the past two decades, our organization has evolved from a coalition of trail advocates into a regional leader advancing trail connectivity, active transportation, and community vitality across West Michigan.
2000
Trail Friends Come Together
The seeds of West Michigan Trails were planted in 2000 when trail friends’ groups from across the region began gathering to share ideas, resources, and support one another. These early advocates recognized that by working together, they could accomplish far more than any single organization alone.
2005
Becoming a Nonprofit
Our story truly took shape when legendary regional leader Fred Meijer and key partners saw the potential of interconnected trails. In February 2005, the West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition was formally established as a nonprofit organization with an ambitious mission: to construct six transformative trail projects that would redefine regional connectivity and create a lasting legacy for future generations.
2009
From Trail Builders to Network Architects
As trail development accelerated across the region, the organization evolved from trail builders to network architects. Our focus expanded beyond construction to include trail connections, coordinated signage, long-term maintenance, and regional collaboration. By thinking regionally, we bagan creating a seamless experience for trail users throughout West Michigan.
Establishing our vision
The organization adopted a new vision, mission, and logo to reflect its growing regional role.
Mission
To coordinate a regional trails/greenways infrastructure.
Vision
To develop a regional trails/greenways network that will connect communities with each other and to the region’s natural areas, parks, historic landmarks, cultural venues, and civic destinations.
2012
"Complete the Vision"
West Michigan Trails launched the Complete the Vision capital campaign, successfully raising $2 million to establish long-term maintenance funding for regional trails.
This investment recognized an important truth: building trails is only the beginning. Ensuring they remain safe, welcoming, and accessible for generations requires sustained stewardship.
2017
A New Strategic Direction
A new strategic plan ushered in the next chapter of the organization.
Mission
Enhancing quality of life by advancing our regional trails movement.
Vision
A world-class trail experience connecting West Michigan.
This era also saw the launch of Trail Mixers and Trail Summits, bringing together community leaders, trail advocates, funders, and residents to celebrate and advance regional trail development.
2021
Building Connections, Building Communities
West Michigan Trails launched the Building Connections, Building Communities Campaign to complete two transformational projects:
Finish paving the historic White Pine Trail.
Build a critical northern connection from Leonard Street to Ann Street, linking downtown Grand Rapids to hundreds of miles of regional trails.
These projects strengthened the vision of a truly interconnected regional trail network.
2023
Rebranding for the Future
West Michigan Trails unveiled a refreshed brand identity, including a new logo and redesigned website that better reflected the organization’s expanding regional impact.
2023
Creating a Unified Wayfinding System
Working alongside more than 60 community partners, West Michigan Trails completed the West Michigan Trails Wayfinding Guide. This guide established a coordinated regional signage system designed to help users navigate and connect hundreds of miles of trails across West Michigan, creating a seamless experience regardless of jurisdiction.
2024
A Blueprint for the Future
The West Michigan Regional Trails Master Plan was completed– the first comprehensive regional strategy for trail connectivity across the region.
The plan identified priority corridors, gaps in the network, and opportunities to expand active transportation options that improve health, strengthen local economies, and connect communities.
2025
Brand Refresh
Continuing to evolve, West Michigan Trails launched another brand refresh with an updated logo and website designed to support the organizations growing role as a regional convener and connector.
2026
Looking Ahead
Following an organizational assessment conducted with the DeVos institute, West Michigan Trails revamped its mission and vision to guide the next era of growth.
Mission
Connecting people, trails, and communities.
Vision
A fully connected West Michigan where trails enhance quality of life for people of all ages and abilities, link communities, and strengthen local economies.
This renewed direction reflects our commitment to accessibility, collaboration, and building stronger communities through trails.
A Legacy of progress
More Than Trails- A Vision for Community
Our recent regional master trails plan is a blueprint for transformation. It’s not just about connecting points on a map, but about creating an active transportation network that supports economic growth, promotes health, and strengthens community partnerships.
As we look into the future, West Michigan Trails remains committed to our core belief: trails are the arteries through which community vitality flows. We will continue to champion accessibility, maintenance, and meaningful integration of trails into the fabric of West Michigan.
Our trails are more than routes- they are promises. Promises of connection, of health, of shared experiences. They are the paths that bring us together, one mile at a time.