Buck Creek (Kent County, Michigan) facts for kids

Buck Creek is a cool stream in Michigan that's about 20 miles (32 km) long. It's like a smaller river that flows into a bigger one! Buck Creek starts in northern Allegan County and flows through cities like Kentwood and Wyoming. It's an urban stream, which means it flows through busy towns. Finally, it joins the Grand River in Grandville. The Grand River then flows into the huge Lake Michigan.

What is the Buck Creek Watershed?

A watershed is like a big bowl where all the rain and snowmelt drain into one main stream or river. The Buck Creek watershed includes parts of several towns and cities. These are Byron Township, Gaines Township, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grandville, and even some of Grand Rapids. This means all the water from these areas eventually makes its way into Buck Creek.

What are Buck Creek's Tributaries?

Tributaries are smaller streams or rivers that flow into a larger one. For Buck Creek, two important tributaries are Pine Hill Creek and Sharps Creek. They both join Buck Creek in the city of Wyoming. Other smaller streams that used to flow into Buck Creek are now part of the local drain system.

Explore the Buck Creek Trail

Imagine walking or biking along a beautiful creek! The cities of Grandville and Wyoming have worked together for over 30 years to create the Buck Creek Trail. It's a system of awesome trails that follow the creek.

The trail has three main parts:

• One part goes from the Baldwin Street Trailhead in Jenison to Broadway Street in Grandville. This is the newest section.
• Another part goes down Canal Street to the Grandville section, which passes through Wedgewood Park.
• The third part is in Wyoming. It starts at Lemery Park, goes through the Buck Creek Nature Preserve, and ends at Palmer Park.

It might take a little effort to find your way along the whole trail, but it's definitely worth it for the views and outdoor fun!

Parks Along Buck Creek

Many great parks are located along Buck Creek, offering lots of activities for everyone.

Wedgwood Park

Wedgwood Park is in Grandville, right next to Grandville Middle School. It's a fantastic place for sports and play!

Here's what you'll find there:

• A football field with bleachers, used by local teams.
• Clean bathrooms.
• A fun playground with lots of space to run around.
• A large picnic pavilion with tables and grills.
• A pretty bridge that connects to the middle school.

Part of the Buck Creek Trail runs through Wedgwood Park. There are many benches where you can sit and enjoy the view of Buck Creek flowing by.

Lemery Park

Lemery Park is a big park, about 87 acres, located in Wyoming. Both Buck Creek and the Buck Creek Trail run right through it!

This park is packed with things to do:

• Tennis courts and basketball courts.
• Fields for little league baseball and softball.
• Restrooms and a concession stand.
• A picnic area and a walking trail.
• Awesome playground equipment with plenty of room to play.

Since Buck Creek flows through the park, it's also a great spot for fishing! It's a beautiful place for activities, picnics, exercise, or just enjoying nature.

Palmer Park

Palmer Park is located in Wyoming and is partly surrounded by the Kaufman Golf Course. A cool boardwalk starts on the west side of the park and follows Buck Creek.

At Palmer Park, you can enjoy:

• Baseball fields.
• Biking and cross-country skiing.
• Fishing in Buck Creek.
• An 18-hole golf course nearby.
• Picnic areas and a playground.
• Hiking and walking trails.
• An open shelterhouse and restrooms.

Kelloggsville Park

Kelloggsville Park is about 8.5 acres and has the Kent County Bike Trail running through it.

It's a great place for sports and play with:

• Softball fields.
• A fantastic playground.
• Tennis courts and basketball courts.
• Restrooms and a picnic area.
• A shelter and charcoal grills for cookouts.

Veteran's Park

Veteran's Park is in Kentwood and covers about 15 acres. It's run by the City of Kentwood and has many fun features.

You'll find:

• A splash pad, perfect for cooling off on hot days!
• Restrooms and picnic shelters with large charcoal grills.
• Soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a sand volleyball court.
• Several different playgrounds with climbing walls, swings, and play structures.

Kellogg Woods Park

Kellogg Woods Park is located in Kentwood and offers a variety of recreational options.

Here's what you can do there:

• Play baseball or softball on the fields.
• Enjoy a game of soccer.
• Visit the skate park.
• Have fun on the small climbing structure and playground.
• There's also lots of open space to run around and play!

Buck Creek Nature Preserve

The Buck Creek Nature Preserve is a special place covering 37.5 acres in Wyoming, Michigan. It's dedicated to protecting nature and offering outdoor experiences.

The preserve features:

• Many trails and boardwalks for exploring.
• Public restrooms and picnic areas.
• Easy access to Buck Creek itself, making it a popular spot for fishing.

It's a wonderful place to connect with nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Buck Creek.