HomeMichiganEast Grand Rapids › Waterfront / Gilmore Park

Waterfront / Gilmore Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · Running trail in East Grand Rapids, Michigan · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Waterfront / Gilmore Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsWaterQuiet

Waterfront park featuring walking trails, picnic tables and benches.

What runners say about Waterfront / Gilmore Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (79 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Kinda stinky when we were digging in the water but other than that absolutely gorgeous!”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“My top choice when it comes to serene walks and relaxing spots with less people in the area.”

Very nice area to walk your dog. I followed the trail/sidewalk all the way to the school, my dog loved it! My only complaint is that there were no working water fountains in the area.

★★★★☆ — Nicole , May 2023

Great lake views and trails. The Reeds Lake Trail goes through the park. Two branches of the trail lead through the park to the lakeside. One leads to a long floating boardwalk on the lake, with amazing views of the lake and surroundings.

★★★★★ — Sheri , Jun 2022

Beautiful is not enough to describe how amazing this place looks. There are all kinds of flowers and plants to look at. There is also a boardwalk that'll take you down to reed's lake which is also pretty to look at.

★★★★★ — Hetalia , Dec 2017

Love this park in front of Reed's Lake. Such a beautiful view and it is not usually very busy. They have public restrooms here and a trail that connects to the park. It's so relaxing for reading,benjoying the sun, having a picnic,or just visiting.

★★★★★ — Leanne , Jun 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 79 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 14 mentions

“Kinda stinky when we were digging in the water but other than that absolutely gorgeous!”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“My top choice when it comes to serene walks and relaxing spots with less people in the area.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Very nice area to walk your dog.”

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🪵 Boardwalk 2 mentions

“One leads to a long floating boardwalk on the lake, with amazing views of the lake and surroundings.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“They have public restrooms here and a trail that connects to the park.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“My only complaint is that there were no working water fountains in the area.”

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Plan your run at Waterfront / Gilmore Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Hours

Monday 7 am–10 pm
Tuesday 7 am–10 pm
Wednesday 7 am–10 pm
Thursday 7 am–10 pm
Friday 7 am–10 pm
Saturday 7 am–10 pm
Sunday 7 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Waterfront / Gilmore Park

2205 Reeds Lake Blvd SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Get directions

Running trails near East Grand Rapids

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Reeds Lake Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 52 reviews

East Grand Rapids, MI

Scenic

under a mile away

John Collins Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 863 reviews

East Grand Rapids, MI

ScenicDog-friendly

Park with a lake, events, and picnic areas, plus a public restroom.

under a mile away

Manhattan Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 290 reviews

East Grand Rapids, MI

4.2 miMixedShadedScenic

Sprawling recreation area featuring playgrounds, volleyball courts and baseball fields.

under a mile away

Bunker Interpretive Center

4.7 ★★★★★ 311 reviews

Grand Rapids, MI

2 miNatural surfaceScenic

Nature preserve with an interpretive center, walking trails, and native gardens.

2.2 miles away

Highland Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 296 reviews

Grand Rapids, MI

Dog-friendly

City park, also known as Highland Park, featuring playgrounds, a rock wall, soccer and football fields, and nature trails.

2.4 miles away

Ball Perkins Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 115 reviews

Grand Rapids, MI

55 miCrushed gravelScenic

Community park offering kid-friendly hikes, wildlife sightings, and scenic views.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in East Grand Rapids, MI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.