Rochester Hills Renames Park

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Riverbend Park in Rochester Hills is now known as “Innovation Hills Park” in Rochester Hills. City Council recently voted to change the name and the confusion. Shelby Township has its own River Bend Park just three miles away from what is now Innovation Hills.

The city park is located on Hamlin Road, east of Adams Road. It’s currently under the first phase of its development, but already features hiking, walking and fishing in the Clinton River. Innovation Hills is just more than 62 acres in size.

“There was consistent confusion,” Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said about the park’s name. He told the Rochester Post he believes it will quickly become an important destination for residents and visitors. “I am confident that this name will continue to grow — and that the park will be known for what is inside of it — and that this will become one of our most beloved assets in the community.”

The park, which the city purchased in the 1990s, includes two small lakes in addition to the Clinton River. A parking lot was recently completed, and a former dirt utility trail in the park has been paved to serve as a main spine for future nature trails, the Post reported.

Future amenities could include a water feature, illuminated solar glow path pavers, a universal play area and a sensory garden designed for children with special needs and their families, the newspaper reported. A cascade waterfall and a gazebo are other possibilities. The park will also likely feature a kayak landing pad on the river along with shelters, overlooks and observation points.

Funding for park improvements will rely on grants and fundraising efforts, Barnett said. Innovation Hills has already received a private $1 million donation from the Steve and Vivian Stolaruk Foundation.

“There’s an awful lot of things that go on that benefit the city and its residents year-round that are paid for by sponsors and not at the expense of the tax-payers,” City Council President Mark Tisdel told the Rochester Post. “I think that goes underappreciated.”

Photo by Kathryn Yengel via Flick Commons