Mission:

Alpine Township is a dynamically diverse family-oriented community that strives for managed growth with proper supporting infrastructure within a framework of a vibrant agricultural base and a small town feel.

About Us:

Located just four miles north of downtown Grand Rapids, Alpine Township is still primarily a rural community. Perhaps that explains the warmth and friendliness that extends all the way to the Township Hall. Blending in with our agriculture is just the right amount of residential, commercial and industrial development.

Alpine Township is located northwest of metropolitan Grand Rapids, Michigan, and encompasses 36 square miles of which about 75% remains prime farm land. 

Alpine Township's mixture of soils, climate, and terrain make it especially suitable for apple production, among other crops and dairy products. The Township is known as the beginning of "The Ridge" - an area of farmland extending northwest through Ottawa and Kent Counties, east to Belding. "The Ridge" produces 40% of Michigan's apples, as its unique topography and airflow helps to protect crops against frost. Kent County, of which Alpine Township is a part, has the greatest number of apple trees in Michigan.Alpine Ave (M-37) is one of the busiest commercial strips serving the greater Grand Rapids area. It extends north and south. There is plenty of land prepared for or remaining for commercial and industrial development. Alpine Township is conveniently located with easy access to US 131 and Interstate 96 and is 4 miles from Downtown Grand Rapids. Seldom will you find such a rural community blend in so well with urban neighbors. 

History:

Before early settlers came to what is now Alpine Township, Indians are believed to have lived here. Information from 1838 indicates that there were Ottawan Indian campgrounds that were primarily used, most likely, for the sugar harvest, as sugar maples were abundant in the western area .Alpine was established by the first settler, Solomon Wright, in 1847 - over 150 years ago. Many early settlers were of German descent. Alpine was so-named because of the pine forest near Cranberry Lake ("All-Pine"). At that time, sawmills were constructed because of the high demand for lumber.

Alpine Township became a chartered township in 1979 under Michigan's Charter Township Act. In 1996, it returned to general law status in order that any attempt at annexation must be presented to the State Boundary Commission.