Millennium Park, John Ball Park, Butterworth Park

Aside from the Grand River paths, Millennium Park is THE place to run in Grand Rapids. The park also connects to John Ball Park & Butterworth Park. There are many options for loops and one-way runs of various lengths. We’ve mapped several routes, but consult the trail maps for more information.

John Ball Park & Butterworth Park. These parks are closer to the center of Grand Rapids. In John Ball Park, there are some trails and a good park road just outside the zoo. Combine with a loop around Butterworth Park, just south of Butterworth St., for a 4.4 mile loop. For longer, access Millennium Park at Kent Trails North Trailhead, just west of I-96. ROUTE MAP

Millennium Park. Fantastic running in this 1,400-acre park, with 18 miles of mainly paved rolling hill trails, including 6 miles along the Grand River. There are several lakes, meadows, and some wooded terrain. This TRAIL MAP shows several loop options. Here are a few suggestions we’ve mapped, which can be mix & matched:

• Grand River Route. One can run for up to ~5 miles along the Grand River on the Kent Trails, from the Kent Trails North Trailhead to Wilson Ave. in Johnson Park. ROUTE MAP
• Lakes Loop. It’s a fun ~4 mile loop around Millennium Park Lake & Lake Leola. Very flat and lots of water views!  ROUTE MAP
• Eastern Loop. From the parking lot at Millennium Lake, we’ve mapped a nearly 5 mile loop around the eastern part of the park. The first half is on the Kent Trail along the Grand River, then loop back on the path paralleling Butterworth Rd. and then a couple of small lakes. Combine with the lake loop for a really long run!  ROUTE MAP