Rotary Club Leads Campaign to Complete Coopersville’s North Bank Trail

LANSING, Mich. – A New Trail Network Initiative Takes Shape in Coopersville

The Rotary Club of Coopersville has embarked on an ambitious project to extend the North Bank Trail by two miles, connecting it to over 50 miles of existing trails in the region. This project promises to link with prominent trails like the Lakeside Trail and the Idema Explorers Trail. To bring this vision to life, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) on the Patronicity platform.

Image Credit: Cari Draft

The goal is to raise $50,000 by December 4. If successful, the project will receive a matching grant via MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. To contribute or learn more about the project, visit patronicity.com/nbt.

According to Paula Holtz, MEDC Managing Director for Regional Development, “Connective trailway projects like the North Bank Trail in Coopersville provide a multitude of public benefits, including equitable access to recreation, connectivity with neighboring communities, alternative transportation routes, and strengthened communal health.”

The completion of the North Bank Trail promises safe passage for walking, biking, and other activities from 48th Avenue to 64th Avenue, providing a vital link for Coopersville residents of all ages. The trail aims to enhance safety, connect the community to parks and downtown areas, promote a healthy lifestyle, and spur economic growth and tourism. This project is set to become a cherished community feature for generations to come.

Kate Terpstra, Coopersville’s Marketing and Economic Development Administrator and Rotary Club member, remarked, “The PSCP grant program marks a very important milestone in the North Bank Trail Project for the Coopersville Community. With this grant funding, it helps us close the gap on the last piece of funding we need for the construction of the trail through the city.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative, a collaboration between MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, provides communities the opportunity to crowdfund strategic projects with the prospect of a matching grant from MEDC. Interested parties can apply through patronicity.com/puremichigan.

Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League, stated, “Connection is the backbone of a strong community. A connected trail network helps knit a place together by linking neighborhoods, parks, businesses, and other community destinations. These connections deepen social interaction and offer opportunities for people to enjoy the natural world. A fully completed North Bank Trail would be an amazing asset for Coopersville.”

Since its inception in 2014, the Public Spaces Community Places initiative has facilitated over $15.8 million in matching grants for community projects across Michigan, enhancing 451 projects with contributions from over 81,383 donors. The program boasts a 97 percent success rate in helping communities achieve their fundraising goals.