Projects
Creating Riverside Park​
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The “Dowd Site” was initially probed by RiverWood Council in 2017 and initiated a phone call with a member of the family who responded to our inquiries. We planted the idea of selling for conservation and the family was receptive. We really had a tough time building momentum around the project until Daniel Defranco started looking into the property in 2022 and contacted the family himself. Daniel spearheaded a strategic and organized effort working with the Township Board, Saugatuck Township Parks Commission, Land Conservancy of West Michigan and the State of Michiigan to receive a 2.4 million dollar DNR grant to purchase the propterty. This grant was awarded in December of 2025. RiverWood Council was able to secure a pledge of $100,000 from the family of the late George Supp in the effort to fund the project alongside the grant.
Creating Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve
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The journey to create the Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve started in 2017 with the RiverWood Council. They first conceived of "the old airport property" as the core element of a 12-mile network of parks and trails across the tri-community area.
Among many other local activists and municipal personnel, Helen Baldwin, Saugatuck City Council member and head of the Parks and Public Works Committee, took on the challenge and drove the plan forward. Securing the necessary funding from the family of the late George Supp, the RiverWood Council then brought in the Outdoor Discovery Center to handle the proposal and all conservation efforts before passing it along to the municipality. Thanks to this timely and effective collaboration, the ribbon cutting ceremony happened in June of 2025.
Building Early Connections and Partnerships
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To ensure the success of the Wilds, we had to lay the groundwork early. Many years prior, we proposed that Saugatuck Township expand its Trails and Trails Dog Park by 35 acres, connecting it directly to the future airport property park. By actively engaging the Township—even literally building new trails for them—we established key partners and supporters who helped us push the opening of the "Wilds" to fruition. Details about this adjacent park are provided below.
Adding Trails at Tails n Trails Dog Park
RiverWood Council is active with tri-community government units and organizations to propose, design, build and maintain trails, trail systems and amenities.
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We continually look at new ideas and opportunities. The dog park trail expansion is an example of our work with Saugatuck Township.
RiverWood Council member Chris Clark leads Radar Hill Hiking Club which in turn sponsors hikes and is active in improving and maintaining trails.
Landowner Conservation Easements
RiverWood is consulting with a number of landowners to develop both conservation easements and trail access. Below is view from an easement path one of our landowners is creating.
Helping residents and visitors with wayfinding for exploring the region's natural areas.
The National Trails Day is Radar HIll's annual event in solidarity with the national commemoration of hiking and the outdoors.
