GRAND RAPIDS - Now that Green Grand Rapids has wrapped up, it's time to go forth and accomplish green goals and projects, although there will be no governmental funds to help out.

That was the general theme and message at the recent public meeting of Green Grand Rapids held at Creston High School. It's up to nonprofits, foundations and business to step forward.

Green Grand Rapids is a project launched by the city of Grand Rapids to update the 2002 city-wide Master Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with an emphasis on green initiatives centered on connections, the Grand River, parks and recreation, natural systems, greening and local food. Financial supporters of Green Grand Rapids include Grand Rapids' Downtown Development Authority, and the Wege, Frey, Dyer-Ives and Grand Rapids Community foundations.

Highlights of champions Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition � working with governments, agencies and community leaders to promote safe and accessible cycling. Western chapter of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association �current projects include a bike park in an area identified by Green Grand Rapids as being park deficient. Urban Forestry Committee �established to make recommendations to the city on tree care, planting and maintenance, tree species selection, promoting proper tree planting and care and development of comprehensive tree management program. Fulton Street Farmers Market � working with the Midtown Neighborhood Association on a plan to redevelop and expand the market. Grand River groups �working with consultant to bring the rapids back to Grand Rapids with a whitewater course on the Grand River. West Michigan Environmental Action Council � partnering and planning efforts to protect local streams, the Grand River and Lake Michigan from polluted stormwater. Friends of Grand Rapids Parks �organized to protect, enhance and expand parks and public places in the city. Blandford Nature Center � in strategic planning for 2010 and beyond to create a renewed Blandford.

The meeting included reports from champions representing diverse groups � Urban Forestry Committee, Fulton Street Farmers Market, Grand River groups, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition, Western chapter of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and Blandford Nature Center.

Jack Hoffman, an attorney with Kuiper Orlebeke PC and chairperson of Green Grand Rapids, said he got involved with the project because it's the only path to the future that makes sense to him.

"It doesn't seem realistic to me to create a stable future for the community based on the old way of doing things," Hoffman told MiBiz.

Because of the economic crash of a year ago, Green Grand Rapids had to move toward committed citizen involvement and champions, Hoffman said.

"We've had to adapt to changing external circumstances. I believe we've come out with a credible plan and roadmap with practical suggestions. We've already generated some of the positive energy going to be needed to take the proposals to reality."

More citizen leadership from the private sector presents opportunities. Hoffman said Green Grand Rapids met every three months, and it was his job to keep the meetings moving to generate ideas.

Several champions, including Friends of the Parks and the Urban Forestry Committee grew out of Green Grand Rapids, as did a group that wants to put whitewater back in the Grand River.

"We have this beautiful river and we don't celebrate it. People come to Grand Rapids and ask, �where are the rapids?" Hoffman said. "I would like to see more done with the river and the rapids."

Grand Rapids City Planning Director Suzanne Schulz led the Green Grand Rapids meeting and told the audience it's important to have a plan in place for desired development, such as a vision for the city-owned riverfront property that was the subject of much speculation several years ago.

To attract good workers, cities need to be a place where people want to live, according to Christine Helms-Maletic, project manager for the Fulton Street Farmers Market for the Midtown Neighborhood Association.

Helms-Maletic said there are a lot of opportunities for partnerships. Employers may have employees interested in biking to work and be able to partner with the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition in some way, or help accomplish the goals of the Urban Forestry Committee by donating, planting or maintaining trees.

"A business could select where they might fit in," said Helms-Maletic, noting it's good advertising for a company to be viewed as furthering green goals.

Schulz said businesses can help with their financial support or by getting involved and supporting plans like proposals for the Fulton Street Farmers Market or Grand Action's study of a year-round market.

Schulz said she is pleased with the amount of traction from Green Grand Rapids.

"I'm very proud of the implementation phase of the project and how far it's progressed," Schulz told MiBiz. "There's been a lot of energy and effort to move this whole green thinking forward for the benefit of our community and our planet, and recognizing this is the right thing to do."

The city of Grand Rapids has revamped zoning ordinances to provide for green space, tree panting, stormwater and water quality, Schulz said. Bike lanes are at the top of the city's list for green priorities as well as improving walkability. Park maintenance and addressing stormwater issues will also be major focus areas for the city.