Johnson Park Mountain Biking Trails

Thanks to the generous contributions of more than 100 individual donors, the West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance, in partnership with the Kent County Parks Foundation and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., successfully raised an additional $100,000 to fund 2 more miles of singletrack trail at Johnson Park.

The now 8-mile trail system is on track to become one of West Michigan’s premier recreational destinations and a showcase for accessible, professionally built trail experiences. But building great trails is only the beginning.

We are now launching Phase 3 of this campaign: a long-term maintenance endowment dedicated specifically to Johnson Park. Funds from this campaign will support tools, signage upgrades, trail maintenance, tread repairs, and ongoing upkeep of progressive trail features to ensure this incredible trail system remains safe, fun, and enjoyable for all users when it opens this fall and for years to come.

According to the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), routine annual trail maintenance typically costs between $4,000 and $6,000 per mile, with a widely accepted industry guideline of budgeting approximately 5% of a trail's total construction cost each year for ongoing maintenance. Based on IMBA guidance and our experience managing professionally built trail systems such as The Dragon Trail and Fred Bunn Multi-Use Trail, we estimate annual maintenance expenses at Johnson Park will range from $3,000 to $5,000 per year.

These funds will help maintain trail features, preserve progressive trail designs, repair trail tread, replace worn infrastructure, and address the ongoing needs that come with operating a high-quality trail system. Establishing a dedicated maintenance endowment ensures that the investment made by our donors today continues to benefit riders, families, and outdoor enthusiasts for decades to come.

Thank you for your continued support and investment in the future of trails in West Michigan. Together, we are not only building trails—we are ensuring they remain sustainable, safe, and enjoyable for generations to come.