Parks & Rec seeks community projects for Urban Agriculture Program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is asking for proposals for its new Urban Agriculture Project (UAP). This program, developed in collaboration with the Urban Agriculture Committee, will support community projects that improve health, the environment and neighborhood connections. The first round is now open with a second round expected to open in Fall 2026. 

The department will offer short-term funding and infrastructure help for approved projects in 13 City parks:

• Alexander Park – 610 Alexander SE
• Ball Perkins Park – 1675 Perkins Ave NE
• Campau Park – 51 Delaware St SW
• Dickinson Park – 1635 Willard SE
• Douglas Park – 301 Lexington Ave NW
• Garfield Park – 2111 Madison SE
• Joe Taylor Park – 1001 Baxter SE
• Kensington Park – 902 Curve Rd SE
• Mary Waters Park – 1042 Lafayette NE
• MLK Park – 1200 M.L.K. Jr St SE
• Oakdale Gardens Park – 1508 Marshall Ave SE
• Plaster Creek Family Park – 2401 Buchannan Ave SW
• Roosevelt Park – 739 Van Raalte Dr SW

Projects could include community gardens, farm plots, hoop houses, rain gardens, raised beds or cultural gathering spaces. Each proposal must show how it meets the goals of the Urban Agriculture Project.

“This is an opportunity to see a variety of projects that use park land to help enhance food access, improve environmental health, build community relationships and more,” said Joe Sulak, parks superintendent for the Department of Parks and Recreation. "We’re very excited about this opportunity and look forward to seeing what projects the community envisions.”

Important Dates for Round 1 Proposals:

• Proposal Deadline: March 2, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
• Award Notification: End of March
• Project Start: April 2026
• Project End: September 2027

An informational Q&A session will be held on February 18, 2026. Details are in the RFP and will be shared on Parks & Recreation social media.

A second round of funding will open through a new RFP this fall for projects running March–September 2027. If your proposal isn’t chosen in the first round, you can apply again.

Funding comes from an Environmental Justice Impact Grant awarded by Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Parks were chosen based on EGLE’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, which identifies neighborhoods most affected by environmental challenges.

The full RFP is available on the department’s webpage at https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation.