This beautiful preserve is located in the Calvin University campus. There are several ponds along the well maintained woodchip trails. The trails are mostly flat and can be easily walked. There are also benches along the trails where you can sit and enjoy being in the middle of nature. Interpretative signs throughout the park provide information about the plants and animals found in the preserve. The Bunker Interpretative Center has excellent exhibits for kids and adults as well as clean restrooms. The day I visited, there were only a few other people walking the trails which added to the tranquil landscape. I highly recommended a visit if you in the Grand Rapids area. read more

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What a super find! We happened to notice it on Google maps and decided to stop and check it out. All of the trails are wide, well-maintained, and lined with wood chips, making it easy to navigate and not worry about stumbling or twisting an ankle on tree roots or holes. There is a very nice, clean, and interesting nature center that has rooms for teaching, fish tanks with turtles, and a lot of other interactive learning items. The bathrooms were very clean and eco-friendly. read more

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Super cute place to go on a peaceful walk in nature. Located on Calvin University's campus , the area is very well maintained. Trails are free to walk so that is a win! read more

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As a Calvin student, I took the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve for granted. 15+ years later, I'm grateful for it. Living in Washington, D.C., I don't return often, but my Grand Rapids sister hosted an event at the preserve. Spending an hour on its trails, I found the changing leaves beautiful, the trails still, and the reflective signs grounding. There are restrooms and a few small exhibits inside the main lodge. There's a parking lot right outside. read more

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If you are seeking to implement wellness into your life (which is proving to be all the more important with the pandemic - we don't know when it will be over!), I highly recommend setting aside time in your schedule to come here for a walk. It can be 10 minutes, 20 minutes, one hour even. The space is full of trees, so, once you enter, you feel like you're away from all of modern society. The walking paths are interwoven, so there is an endless combination that you can take depending on your mood and your schedule. If you can only spare 10 minutes, just do one round. If you have one hour, let your body wander and take whatever path you want at the forks. There are benches, which I would sit on if it wasn't snowing! This may appeal those of you who like to take time to think and sort through your thoughts/feelings while being enveloped by nature. There is always a steady stream of people who come out to this ecosystem. If you're like me and like to enjoy solitude away from people, consider coming out as the sunrises or as the sun sets. I've noticed that those are windows of time when there isn't anyone else around. read more

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The Calvin Ecosystem Preserve is a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, located right off the East Beltline near Calvin College's campus. With increased visits due to people wanting to get out of their homes for fresh air and exercise, it's important to follow the rules of this ecosystem. NO dogs allowed, and stay on the marked trails/paths. The trails are free to visit and walk, and it's such a peaceful place. I've seen lots of wildlife while walking the trails and in the spring there are many native plants to identify. The deck overlooking the pond is really nice and I could watch the ducks there for a long time! There is plenty of parking available for the ecosystem preserve. Usually the Bunker Interpretive Center is open and they have restrooms available, but it is currently closed due to COVID-19 concerns. So use the bathroom before you go! Be respectful of this place and enjoy nature. read more

This is a real treasure!! I walked through all the trails, despite the oak leaf rollers raining down. This was the most beautiful place I saw while in Grand Rapids! Also I wasn't bothered by mosquitos here at all. Definitely recommend visiting! read more

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