City celebrates the opening of new Unity Park in Roosevelt Park Neighborhood

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – City and community leaders gathered yesterday afternoon, Oct. 14 to mark the official opening of Unity Park, a key milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of the Roosevelt Park neighborhood.

The City invested $2.23 million in the project, which was designed with input from residents to reflect the culture and history of the neighborhood. The new park adds space for gathering, play and relaxation and includes features that support safety, accessibility and environmental sustainability. 

Speakers at the ribbon cutting included Mayor David LaGrand, City Manager Mark Washington, Parks and Recreation Director Laura Cleypool, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Executive Director Bev Thiel, and Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities CEO Steff Rosalez.

Unity Park includes:

• A flexible gathering area with vendor spaces
• Inclusive play spaces with hammock groves, community seating and play features for all ages
• Café‑style seating under a shaded tree grove
• Sustainable features such as a rain garden and an expanded tree canopy
• Safety upgrades including improved lighting, bike paths and drinking fountains with bottle‑filling stations

The Michigan Enhancement Grant and the Parks Capital Fund supported the project. Partners included Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Viridis Design Group, Aligned Planning, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Dwelling Place, the Hispanic Center of West Michigan, Ferris State University and Trinity Health.

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