All tours are an additional $15 fee unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday, October 19
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Trail Wags the Dog
Thinking about ways to collaborate with neighbors? Think recreation! The public benefits of collaborative trail planning are numerous. See how the Lowell Area Recreation Authority leveraged local and state dollars to build a key trail connection bridging a regional trail segment from Owasso to Alma. Learn about the planning, design, funding and lessons learned from key players and take time to enjoy the lovely fall foliage as you walk along one of Kent County's newest trails.
Thursday, October 20
9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Rockford: Not Just Another Bedroom Community
Although it's only a 20-minute drive from Grand Rapids, Rockford has taken bold steps to ensure its own identity and vitality. As the historic headquarters of Wolverine World Wide, manufacturers of Hush Puppies and other shoes, Rockford has transitioned from an old mill town to a thriving suburb that maintains its historic roots. The tour will highlight the successful 10 Mile Road Corridor Plan, a joint plan and overlay district adopted by the City and the townships of Plainfield and Algoma. Come see how downtown Rockford has been revitalized and how a regional trail has contributed to its success. The tour includes a visit to the outstanding parks and open spaces along the Rogue River. Recent plans for redevelopment of the former Wolverine World Wide site and the near north side of the city will also be highlighted.
9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
West Side Story
This mobile tour will highlight efforts made by the West Michigan lakeshore communities that are creating a culture of sustainability through thoughtful planning and management practices. Over the past several years, these practices have resulted in exceptional projects such as green-roofed buildings, new bike paths, and a Main Street with heated streets and sidewalks powered by a community owned power plant. We will also have the opportunity to visit an innovative wholesale nursery which specializes in sustainable growth practices.
2:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Heritage Hill Walking Tour
Take a walking tour with Thomas Logan, AICP, a Heritage Hill resident and the author of Almost Lost: Building and Preserving Heritage Hill. The stroll will include descriptions of the many historic homes, a history of some of the neighborhood's residents, and an overview of the efforts to successfully list the neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The tour will also include a stop at the Meyer May House, one of Grand Rapids' Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Comfortable walking shoes and an eye for beauty are required.
2:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
The Silver Line: The First Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project in Michigan
The Silver Line BRT project was launched to reduce travel time, provide alternative modes of travel, and improve reliability for existing and new transit riders as it connects homes to major employment and educational centers in Grand Rapids. The project is on a schedule to be constructed in 2013. Attendees will see: the LEED certified facilities of the transit agency; the cornerstone medical and higher educational developments that will anchor the new service; an experimental "road diet" along a downtown arterial; a former GM plant slated for demolition, and struggling retail sites that are anticipated to be transformed into mixed use transit oriented development. Perspectives on the process and challenges will also be provided.
Friday, October 21
9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
All Around Downtown, Uptown, Eastown
Join us on a trolley ride that starts in the heart of Grand Rapids' Downtown and winds its way south and east through some of Grand Rapids funkiest areas. The tour showcases revitalized buildings and neighborhoods, historic areas, two round-a-bouts, thriving business areas and entertainments centers, and many other amenities that make us Grand. The tour will be led by planners who live and work in the area - in a trolley that will traverse the brick streets of these fun and quirky quarters. Participants will have the option of visiting the Brewery Vivant at the end of the tour or strolling through several unique shops and restaurants before heading back to the Amway Grand. For those that just can't get enough, transit tokens to Downtown will be available for those interested in creating their own tour along the way.
9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Brownfields and Rails to Greenfields and Trails Bicycle Tour
$15 fee - Bring your own bike | $25 fee - Rent a bicycle
This bicycle tour highlights the gradual and deliberate transformation of a variety of brownfield sites, including several locations with a history of severe environmental contamination, to new park spaces and green infrastructure facilities. The tour will cover approximately 15 miles of biking on generally flat, paved trails, with a handful of moderate hills. Bring your own bike or rent one!
This page last updated on 8/15/2011.
