GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids is reimagining one of its largest parks.
The 160-acre American Legion Memorial Park includes the high school and its athletic fields, the Reif Center and Yanmar Arena, plus an expansive trail system.
Funded by a Blandin Foundation grant, the city is crafting a master plan to improve the park’s facilities, maximize potential use of the space and capitalize on the park’s economic benefits.
Public input will help determine what that looks like.
"American Legion Memorial Park is a community asset and [the city] wants it to be welcoming place where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy sports, education, nature, arts, and culture," said Matt Wegweth, Grand Rapids public works director and city engineer, in a news release.
A survey on the project’s website is open through the end of November. It suggests possible facilities that could be added to Legion Park, including a splash pad, indoor playground or outdoor exercise equipment.
The city plans to host a focus group this winter, with planning and recommendations coming by spring and a finalized plan ready by next summer.
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