GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- What was once a golf course has transformed into a grassland for hikers to walk through and for nature to thrive.

Blandford Nature Center on Thursday, July 13 officially opened The Highlands to the public, a trail that was formerly the Highlands Golf Club, at 2715 Leonard St. NW.

The 121-acre former golf course was acquired in February by the Blandford Nature Center in partnership with Land Conservancy of West Michigan and has nearly doubled the size of the Blandford Nature Center.

"With the 264 acres that we currently have, it literally puts us in the top echelon of urban nature centers in the entire country," said Jason Meyer, president and CEO of Blandford Nature Center.

"You can never have too much green space," Grand Rapids resident Andrea Lewis said.

The extension to the Blandford Nature Center offers a different terrain than the original. The rolling hills at The Highlands allow for more access to winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Grand Rapids resident Brian Packard said The Highlands is more open than the Blandford Nature Center and is excited because it will be an easier hike for him and his son.

Colin Hoogerwerf, an employee with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan, said that the property has been untouched since it was acquired.

"We really didn't know what to expect. The grass has grown a ton," Hoogerwerf said.

Meyer said the restoration process of The Highlands will take decades.

"The fact that my grandkids can come out and see what we started is pretty amazing," Meyer said.