History

In 1997 some trail users realized there was no organization whose major focus was to advocate the White Pine Trail development. Several individuals who felt a volunteer group could accelerate and coordinate trail development formed a steering committee. There was immediate support from Kent County Parks Department, The City of Rockford, Plainfield and Algoma Townships. The municipalities offered their facilities for meetings.

A handful of local trail users and small business owners joined the group. On September 10, 1997 the Friends of the White Pine Trail held its first initial public meeting at Plainfield Township Hall. Thirty five people attended.

The purpose of the Friends of the White Pine Trail:

In the spring of 2003 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources withdrew most of their trail maintenance activities as a cost-saving measure. Maintenance of the trail during the non-winter seasons is being provided by the Friends of the White Pine Trail and various communities along the trail. In the summer of 2006 the DNR began to provide the Friends with some money to pay for equipment rental, fuel, supplies, repair parts and other expendable items used for trail maintenance. Winter maintenance involving snowmobile related activities is provided by the Pere Marquette Snowmobile Club and funded by snowmobile trail permits.

2008 Friends of the White Pine Trail board members