Our fall 2009 newsletter is now available online. Be sure to check it out!
The Reeds Lake Trail is a combination of city sidewalks and separated pathways that form a route around Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. There's still time to donate to this worthwhile project. All donors will be recognized along the trail.
The East Grand Rapids Community Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization committed to the future of East Grand Rapids.
Reeds Lake Trail Phase 2 Begins!
The City of East Grand Rapids is pleased to announce that construction will begin within a few weeks on Phase II of the Reeds Lake Trail. The start of construction is made possible by the recent award of three final grants to complete the fundraising campaign:
| Donor | Grant | Award Date |
|---|---|---|
| West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition | $50,000 | January 20, 2010 |
| Wolverine Building, Inc. | $50,000 | January 5, 2010 |
| East Grand Rapids Community Foundation | $24,000 | November 2009 |
These last three gifts join over 300 donors to the project, some of whom have given multiple gifts over the last five years in hopes of beginning construction on this needed project.
The concept of a separated trail around Reeds Lake began in 1998 when a citizen approached the City with the proposal and offer of partial funding. While sidewalks provide the majority of the path in neighborhoods and city-owned property on three sides of the lake, the east end of the lake was without sidewalks and the street was curving and narrow, creating less than ideal conditions for those walking and biking around the lake.
Click here for details and photosOur Mission: To provide financial support for services, programs and projects which preserve and enhance the quality of life of the citizens of the City of East Grand Rapids.
Formed in 2000 by the East Grand Rapids City Commission, the EGR Community Foundation is now run by a 15-member Board of Directors with assistance from the city. The EGRCF identifies worthwhile projects in our community that are often outside the scope or scale of the city's official budget
Although a young organization, the EGRCF has already funded several projects in East Grand Rapids and acted as a conduit for others. The Foundation has collected and held funds for the East Grand Rapids Community Center and the Reeds Lake Trail projects. In addition, the Foundation has provided grants for benches for the Gaslight Village Street-scape and Phase 1 of the Reeds Lake Trail, and assisted with downtown garden projects and new trail-head/marker maps on the Reeds Lake Trail. In March 2006, the EGRCF held its first annual March Madness fundraising event to benefit its programs and raised over $10,000.
