EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As the afternoon sun bathed Manhattan Park in light, dozens of people gathered at a pavilion to celebrate the newest recreational opportunity in West Michigan. Among the faces in the park was retired East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation director Fred Bunn, who has dedicated much of his life to creating new recreational opportunities.
"I served the community of East Grand Rapids for over 30 years. I started out as the recreation supervisor, middle school athletic director, moved into the assistant director's position and served as director for 20 plus years," he said.
"I was one of those kids that grew up here in Grand Rapids, and park systems were always part of my youth. That's where we went and played and took part in various league sports. And it's been part of my life actually, as far as health and fitness all along. As a runner and an avid cyclist and hiker, I engage outdoors on a regular basis. And I just love to see other people get excited and enthused about enthusiastic about that as well."
It's fitting that the new trail bears Bunn's name. He says when he retired, he learned that the city would be naming it the Fred Bunn Multi-Use Trail. Bunn says he's honored that his legacy will be kept and recognized, and it wasn't something he was expecting.
"It's just super exciting to be able to add another recreational opportunity to the residents in the greater community of Grand Rapids right here in EGR, in Manhattan Park, on a trail system that wasn't very active," he said.
The new trail will serve walkers, hikers, runners, and cyclists. The project was a partnership between the city, the West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance, and the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Bunn says he's thankful for all the donors who made the project possible.
"The amount of time that it takes to get a project completed, no matter what community you work in, it does take time. This goes back almost 10 years ago when this was first discussed. Really in earnest, it was four plus years ago. And to actually have the trail finished today and opened as part of the grand opening is pretty exciting," Bunn said.
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