Explore
Outdoor Recreation at The Village
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is nestled within 480 acres of preserved parkland and is a natural setting for recreation and outdoor activities.
Hiking & Biking
Scenic Trails for Every Explorer
Whether you explore the unpaved trails, travel along the Historic Men’s Walk and Women’s Walk, or venture to the Botanic Gardens, these supreme parks are open to the public from dawn til dusk.
The Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area, the largest park in the group, covers 140 acres of unpaved trails through hills behind Building 50, offering streams, wooded areas, and sweeping views. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing year-round. Among its natural beauty, the 1894 reservoir built by the Traverse City State Hospital stands as a striking man-made feature, now covered in colorful graffiti, contrasting with the surrounding landscape.
The Heart of the Village
The Front Lawn & Historic Arboretum
Building 50’s expansive front lawn hosts a variety of events, including weddings and private parties, the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, the Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival and our own annual Bocce Tournament!
The Village campus is abundant with a wide array of trees from all over the world with most of them located on our front lawn. Click HERE for our tree map.
Where Flavor Meets Community
The Backyard
With the historic lawn located in front of Building 50, the area bustling with activity behind Building 50 is called The Backyard. This area is alive from morning to night. From the early smells of fresh baked bread and delicious cups of coffee to decadent afternoon lunches and glasses of wine with an evening meal. The Piazza is located right in the heart of The Backyard and is home to many community activities.
A Gathering Place
The Piazza
In Italy it’s very typical that each small town and city have a centrally located Piazza where the community gathers together to talk, stroll and enjoy one another’s company. Modeled after a European lifestyle, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons has a park-like area central to The Backyard that we affectionately call The Piazza.