Redlum Farm Preserve opens, expands biking options in Holland

A new bike park and nature preserve on Holland’s north side is giving families more ways to ride and connect with nature. The opening of Redlum Farm Preserve earlier this month drew more than 500 people, underscoring the demand for beginner-friendly biking spaces in West Michigan.

Located at 15275 Greenly St., the preserve adds a new link to a growing network of trails and parks. Riders can now connect from Redlum to Beechwood, Cooper Van Wieren Park, and Riley Trails using paved paths that allow cyclists of all ages to move between sites safely.

“It’s another biking space on the north side of Holland that connects with three others to create a bigger loop,” says Nate Bosch, a landscape architect with the ODC (Outdoor Discovery Center) Network, a nonprofit that works to advance outdoor education and conservation in the region. “Now families don’t have to rely on riding on roads to get between them.”

Safe space for beginners

ODC leaders say the preserve addresses a gap in opportunities for beginners to practice and build confidence on bikes.

“There seemed to be this lack of spaces to help beginner bikers grow their skills incrementally,” Bosch says. “We’ve got trails in the community, but they don’t always offer the right environment for kids and new riders.”

The 20-acre preserve features a biking skills course with varying levels of difficulty, a children’s balance track, walking trails, a pond, and restored native habitats. It also includes a greenhouse to support educational programming.

The project was made possible through a donation from Larry and Karen Mulder, longtime community philanthropists and founders of ODL Inc., a Zeeland-based manufacturer of doors and insulated glass. Larry Mulder, son of ODL founder Cy Mulder and former chairman of the board, has carried forward his family’s legacy of entrepreneurship and civic commitment. Karen Mulder is also known locally for her writing and volunteer work.

“Larry and Karen have been amazing partners in all of this—extremely generous with their resources and time,” Bosch says. “It really shows how much community support matters to making these projects happen.”

Broad group of supporters

The Aug. 1 ribbon cutting and open house reflected the collaborative spirit behind the project. Velo Kids, a local nonprofit, offered bikes and coaching for children. The Hirdes Group handed out free helmets. ODC added family activities, including face painting, animal encounters, and Hudsonville Ice Cream.

“It’s been really cool to see families showing up, even parents who don’t ride themselves,” Bosch says. “They can sit under the pavilion while their kids ride, or walk the trails and still feel part of the experience.”

For ODC, the preserve is part of a 25-year mission to connect people to nature through conservation and education. Since 2000, the nonprofit has reached more than 1.3 million people through its schools, preserves, and community programs.

“Between being in nature and the presence of music or other sensory experiences, people can be stirred and rooted in ways that connect them more deeply to place,” Bosch says. “That’s what this preserve is about – creating spaces where people of all ages can grow, connect, and be inspired.”