Mosquito Trails: New Venue Offers Biking and More

Young riders check out the trail- Photo by Catherine Obits

Trails Project to feature section for children 2-6  

On Saturday, May 11, a ribbon cutting event was held to officially open The Mosquito Creek Trails. The 500-acre project is located at 2190 Maple Island Road just south of the border between Newaygo and Muskegon County. This forested valley, part of the Muskegon County Wastewater Management facility and bordering Mosquito Creek, will be a regional, year-round outdoor recreation destination with more than 10 miles of backcountry trails that will increase opportunities for physical activity, connection to nature, adventure, and economic vitality.

The recreation improvement project is a collaborative endeavor spearheaded by Muskegon County and Michigan’s Edge Mountain Biking Association. Trail professionals designed the nearly 12 miles of biking trails that will also be accessible for hiking, walking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The trail system will include six trails, with 3.35 miles of beginner/easier trail, 6.11 miles of intermediate trails, and 1.5 miles of advanced trail.

“The trail system will offer families a chance to get out in nature and enjoy a vigorous workout on a mountain bike or a serene walk in the woods,” said Catherine Obits of the Gerber Foundation. The Gerber Foundation provided support for the young children’s trail, a ½ mile trail targeting 2-6 year old beginners, which will be completed by the end of June. “We are grateful to be able to offer this opportunity to families in the Newaygo and Muskegon County areas.”
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Phase 2 will add 3-4 miles of trails this fall with the remainder anticipated to be open by the end of 2020. “We want people out there just recreating,” said Wagner, a physician with Mercy Health in Spring Lake. “There really isn’t a better opportunity to get out and exercise than natural trails.”

For more on the trails, check out the Facebook page at
​ https://www.facebook.com/Mosquitocreektrail/.