City Of Grand Rapids: City Commission Adopts Five-Year Parks Strategic Master Plan Update

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

January 26, 2022

Plan builds on community momentum and investments for a more equitable, healthy and sustainable park system

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City Commission yesterday unanimously approved a new five-year parks and recreation strategic master plan update for Grand Rapids. The plan–which is required for the City to be eligible for Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant funding–will be implemented from 2022 through 2026.

The plan builds on the framework of the 2017 plan, which included a new department mission, vision and values. It integrates elements of the City’s 2019 strategic plan, the important role of parks and recreation in the COVID-19 response, and considerations following the evergreen parks millage passed by Grand Rapids voters in 2019.

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss expressed her appreciation to everyone who worked or offered their input on the update including the equitable and sustainable aspects of the five-year plan.

“Our city is filled with amazing parks that not only offer a place to exercise and be active, but they also are a great source of peace, tranquility and beauty to everyone who visit them,” she said. “I am so thankful that this parks master plan provides a blueprint for continuous improvement of these spaces. Grand Rapids’ quality of life is second to none and this plan ensures that we will continue to benefit and enjoy our great parks for years to come.”

The plan includes an equity-centered capital investment plan for the next five years. Major goals will focus on:

• Creating a connected network of parks, trails and natural areas
• Recreation programs and amenities that support the physical, mental and emotional needs of residents
• A park operations plan focused on innovation, sustainability and collaboration
• Investments to neighborhood parks focused on accessibility and asset management

Four parks were used as case studies in the plan to demonstrate how unique community and environmental needs can be met in different settings. Site-specific master plans were developed for Roosevelt Park, Riverside Park, Ball Perkins Park, and a vacant City-owned site on Grand Rapids’ southeast side.

Proposed long-term improvements for Roosevelt Park (1340 Godfrey Ave. SW) include renovations to the existing lodge building to improve accessibility, interior and exterior design, and community gathering, indoor sport and event capabilities.

Proposed long-term improvements for Ball Perkins Park (1675 Perkins Ave. NE) include a mountain bike single track, improved access and additional parking on Leonard and Perkins Streets, a new picnic shelter, hilltop overlook and restoration of the upland prairie and ravine.

Proposed long-term improvements to the 32nd Street Greenspace (2149 32nd St. SE) include new nature trails, elevated boardwalk over the wetland area, new picnic shelter and enclosed pavilion, new entry and parking area, a nature-play area, wetland and upland prairie restoration and stormwater filtration infrastructure.

Additional major projects outlined in the plan include reconstruction of the lodge at Martin Luther King Park (1200 Franklin St. SE), improvements to Sullivan Field (650 Valley Ave. NW), and development of riverfront parks and trails in coordination with the Grand River Restoration Project.

“We’re excited to continue our important work using momentum from the last five years to create a more equitable, connected, healthy and sustainable park system,” Parks and Recreation Director David Marquardt said. “Through community engagement, strategic partnerships and leveraged outside funding, we are dedicated to meet residents’ expectations for accessible and vibrant parks and recreation facilities.”

The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Advisory Board helped draft the plan and forwarded it to the Commission for consideration and final adoption.

Board Chair Kelli Jo Peltier said, “My fellow board members and I are proud of this plan that will shape the next five years of park system development. We will continue to use community voice to advocate for increased access, public health and innovation as we enter this next chapter.”

Community engagement for the plan took place from fall through spring 2021 and included over 890 one-on-one conversations in 30 parks across the city in addition to 794 online survey responses. Ongoing engagement with residents will continue with regular park projects across the city. Learn more about the plan and read it online HERE.

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed here are the author’s own.