Are you running out of things to do with the kids this summer? How about a walk on the wild side as The Highlands,a new parkland space in Grand Rapids. It is open for the first time on Thursday and they are inviting the public to come walk the property.
Earlier this year the 121-acre Highlands Golf Club was acquired by our local
Blandford Nature Center, in partnership with the
Land Conservancy of West Michigan, with a loan from The Conservation Fund, enabling this unique collaboration to add to their already spacious property devoted to all things nature.
The Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s roots reach as far back at 1976 and have been helping our area protect land for future generations’ enjoyment and edification. The Land Conservancy of West Michigan has protected 137 natural areas of more than 10,000 acres in Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Ottawa, Newaygo, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, and Lake counties.
For those seeking an more in-depth experience or insider info on the plans for this park space, the staff of Blandford and the Land Conservancy will be on site Thursday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to conduct free tours of this new park.
The park is seeking input as well, so the tours will help community members better understand the purchase and vision of the partners and include ways for the public to contribute to the evolving vision of this space.
If tours are not your thing, then by all means, feel free to just hike this expansive piece of land on your own. The new hours for The Highlands are sunrise to sunset starting Thursday, July 13th.