Phase 1

Phase 1 of the North Bank Trail, 3.3 miles from N. Fruitport Road to 130th Ave, was opened and dedicated October 10, 2011. This beautiful section of non-motorized trail was made possible by the cooperation of many individuals and organizations including: The Michigan Department of Transportation – Transportation Enhancement, Spring Lake Township, Crockery Township, the Friends of the NBT, North Bank Community Fund, the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, the West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and many generous private donors including the Shape Corporation and the Verplank Family. It should also be noted that Phase 1 would not have been possible without the funds made available through the bike path millage passed by Spring Lake Township residents. This millage has been in place for many years and, to date, has allowed Spring Lake Township to construct 30 miles of local bike paths, including the NBT. Crockery Township also passed a bike path millage in 2016 that will ensure the completion of Phase 2 and possibly Phase 3 as well.

Phase 1 of the NBT connects to the Lakeside Trail in the Village of Spring and the Tri-City Connector Path offering exclusive non-motorized access to Grand Haven and Ferrysburg. Bridges over Spring Lake and the Grand River are exciting to travel on the Connector Path offering excellent watershed views. The Lakeside Trail offers a 12-mile loop around Spring Lake going through the communities of Spring Lake, Fruitport and Ferrysburg. The NBT offers overlooks of a large wetland complex at the north end of Lloyd’s Bayou where bird watching is quite popular.

The NBT can be accessed in a variety of locations. A trailhead parking area is located on 144th Ave a ½ mile north of M104. Other access points with vehicle parking would include Orchard Market and Central Park in Spring Lake.