Biking Michigan's Flat River Trail

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The Fred Meijer Flat River Trail

Text and Photos last updated: September 2011
Number of times we have biked this trail: Twice



Location: City of, Michigan
Distance: 8 miles or 13 km
Distance markers: some
Surface: asphalt, concrete and boardwalk
Width: 3 metres
Grade: Flat
Conditions of trail:Very good
Parking: Mostly flat
Water: yes
Washrooms: yes
Garbage containers: yes
Rest Areas: benches and tables
Trail marking: minimal


Greenville Michigan is a small city of about 19 000 located about 1/2 hour NE of Grand Rapids. It is known as the home of the Meijers, who started the Meijer food stores throughout Michigan and neighbouring states. Mr. Meijer has been a benefactor to the trail system in Michigan and many trails bear the name "Fred Meier........Trail" including a number in these blogs.


The Fred Meijer Flat River Trail takes you on a circle tour around Greenville, mostly following the Flat River. The path is scenic, beautifully landscaped with many bridges, heavily wooded areas and at least a kilometre of raised boardwalks over wetlands and marshes.

We started our journey in the south just off highway 91 in the Baldwin Lake Area at mile 0. The trail has distance markers which are carved into flat stones on the ground. These are difficult to see and of course often covered with leaves etc. Porta Potties abound every where. There were a few drinking fountains in some of the parks as well as garbage bins. There was an abundance of benches and picnic tables along the route.

Most of the time signs are not needed but when you need one and it isn't there, then you are lost. We lost the trail near the end of Greenville West Drive and Washington (highway 57.) There is a new and unique tunnel that goes under highway 57. It is 14 feet wide and 10 feet high and features museum displays of the early settlers to the area.

At this point we were in the major shopping district with heavy traffic and no signs indicating which way to go. We were about 1 mile away from completing the circle tour, but decided to turn around and retrace our route back to Baldwin Lake Beach area.

Very soon this trail will be connected with the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail (see separate blog) and the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee TRail.

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Comments

[gnevans]

completing trail circuit.
When not on blacktop trail follow double wide sidewalk along Westside Drive, through business area, tunnel under M 57, past Meijers to apartment complex and rejoin blacktop trail into open area leading to Baldwin Beach, then circle the lake left to end of one way section, turn left follow road to park and mile zero starting point. This is traveling counter clockwise around trail. Clock wise is reversed except you circle Baldwin Lake clockwise. I ride this trail daily.

[gnevans]

completing trail circuit.
When not on blacktop trail follow double wide sidewalk along Westside Drive, through business area, tunnel under M 57, past Meijers to apartment complex and rejoin blacktop trail into open area leading to Baldwin Beach, then circle the lake left to end of one way section, turn left follow road to park and mile zero starting point. This is traveling counter clockwise around trail. Clock wise is reversed except you circle Baldwin Lake clockwise. I ride this trail daily.

[GNE]

completing trail circuit 2.
Your error was turning at Hillcrest st. Again the secret is the double wide sidewalk. Follownit to Greenville West drive and stay with it til at the apartments behind Meijer and again join the blacktop trail turning left.