Muskegon, MI - November 11 , 2004 << Return to Press Release Page For more information, call: Bob Chapla - Vice President, Development Community Foundation for Muskegon County Tel: (231) 722-4538 West Michigan Community Foundations Offer Challenge Grant to Connect Region On Thursday, November 11, six West Michigan community foundations hosted more than 240 community leaders at the Fredrik Meijer Gardens to announce a challenge grant up to $200,000 to encourage the completion of 510 miles of regional trails and greenways. “This is an historic event,” said Diana R. Sieger, president of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. “It is clear our communities do not stand alone. We are connected in numerous ways and our coming together tonight is the next step in our commitment to work together to ensure the highest quality of life for all West Michigan residents.” The proposed pathway is the Musketawa to Millennium Park Trail (see attached map), which travels from downtown Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan, through Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, and then east to Fremont, Greenville, and returns to Grand Rapids. Sieger said the trail will eventually connect hundreds of thousands of people, expanding the network of biking, hiking, and walking trails from 152 miles currently, to 510 miles. “It’s our hope that these funds will fuel an even greater regional attitude of cooperation,” said Libby Cherin, president of the Fremont Area Community Foundation. “The writing is on the wall and it reads, ‘We are better together.’ This initiative advances the connecting of our region, signifying an important step in what turns out to be a great coming together to improve the quality of life for all West Michigan residents.” The focus of the event was to facilitate discussion and collaboration among community foundation trustees, donors and community leaders throughout the six counties. “We not only want input on what the regional priorities are,” said Chris McGuigan, president of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County “We also want to engage people who are willing to join us in the effort to address these issues.” The six community foundations began working together in 2000 as a result of a challenge grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation, administered by the Council of Michigan Foundations. The six partners include: Fremont Area Community Foundation, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, The Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland Area, Greenville Area Community Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Together, they hold assets over a half-billion dollars and three members are among the top 10 community foundations in Michigan. The Community Foundation for Muskegon County was created in 1961 to improve the quality of life for Muskegon County residents. As a publicly-supported community endowment, the Foundation receives and manages contributions from community citizens and organizations who are committed to the future of Muskegon County. << Return to Press Release Page