At a Glance
- Approximate Street Address: 8900 Grand River Ave. SE, Ada, MI 49301
- This natural area in Cascade Township features a beautiful hardwood forest and a small stream and wetlands that feed the Grand River.
- Trail length: nearly 4 miles.
- For more information, visit Cascade Township Parks and Recreation.
Visitor Information
Cascade Peace Park is located at 8900 Grand River Avenue and can be accessed from two locations. The access off from Bolt Drive is located at the west end of Bolt Drive on an unpaved section of road. This access point has a small parking area and is better suited for handicapped access. The Grand River Drive access is at the far northeast corner of the property. Grand River Drive provides better access for those on bikes since it is located along a dedicated bike lane on the park side of the Grand River Drive. This location has public parking.
What to See
Hike the trails through the wooded, rolling hills of Cascade Peace Park. In spring, look and listen for migratory warblers and Scarlet Tanagers.
Conservation Value
It is rare to find such a large block of mature hardwoods in the Grand Rapids metro area. Warblers, hawks, and owls benefit from the extensive closed-canopy forest. In addition to the upland forest, this property has an open meadow and a small stream with associated wetlands and lowland forest.
History
This property was identified originally by the Cascade Township open space study as having desirable features for preservation. In order to acquire the property, the Township worked with the assistance of the open space committee, Land Conservancy of West Michigan, The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Disability Advocates of West Michigan, and local landscapers.