Grand Rapids Parks Projects

JPEG image of City and GRPS leaders at Plaster Creek Family Park

Big things are happening in our public parks! Funding from a 2013 millage provides repair, rehab, and new improvements in our parks, pools, and playgrounds.

You can see current, future, and completed projects below on our interactive map. Click the upper-left icon on the map to view a list of all park projects. Click on the upper right icon to view map full screen.

 

Park Millage 5-Year Report

Click below to see what we've done together so far, and what's to come in 2019.

See the Millage Report(PDF, 10MB)

Types of improvements

Repair and Rehab

  • Picnic table and grill repairs, bathroom accessibility upgrades, and resurfaced walking paths, basketball courts, and tennis courts

More Pool Time

  • Community pools at Richmond, Briggs, and Martin Luther King, Jr. parks can stay open longer in the summer

New Features

  • Splash pads, skate parks, picnic shelters, futsol and pickleball courts, benches, drinking fountains and more

Investment Charts - Click to view larger

Fiscal year 14-19 total Investment by type of improvement

FY14 - FY19 total millage investment (PNG, 137KB)

Fiscal year 19 Investment by park

FY19 Park Millage Investment by Park(PNG, 96KB)

Choosing the Projects

  • Each year, the Parks Department chooses several parks throughout the city for improvement. Over the course of the 7-year millage, every park in the city is getting upgrades
  • We involve residents and encourage everyone to share your ideas for your neighborhood park
  • The citizen-run Parks Advisory Board reviews the projects. City Commission then approves them before any funds are spent
  • Maintenance and administrative tasks are paid for by the Parks Department general fund

Funds Pay for the Following

  • Park amenities (benches, grills, picnic areas, etc.)
  • Athletic fields and sport courts
  • Landscaping
  • Park buildings, restrooms, furnaces, air conditioning
  • Sidewalks, trails, boardwalks, and parking lots
  • Park design, construction, and community engagement

In December of 2019, David Marquardt, Director of Parks and Recreation updated City Commission on the department's work as it relates to the 2013 voter-approved Parks Millage. The update presentation includes information on 2019 park improvement projects and the future of the parks system with 2020 projects and new park acquisition strategies.

View the Presentation(PDF, 15MB)

Upcoming meetings

There are currently no upcoming meetings.

Suggest an improvement

Do you have an idea for a park improvement?

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