7 Awesome Parks in Grand Rapids

Parks in Grand Rapids come in all different types and sizes with something for everyone. You can find natural parks that help get away from the excitement of the city and plan a great hike. If that’s not for you, there are parks that host awesome community events and attractions. Here’s a list of parks you have to stop by when in Grand Rapids.

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a stunning botanical garden and sculpture park containing an array of sculptures by well-known artists like Jonathan Borofsky, Mark di Suvero, and Nina Akamu. It also features a botanical garden

with a diverse array of plants. The 200-acre attraction has the vastest outdoor sculpture garden collection in the midwest with indoor and outdoor gardens, the largest tropical conservatory in Michigan, nature trails, a guided tram as well as a five-acre children's garden.

Millennium Park is a large urban park located in several different areas around west Michigan. It features many different paths for hikers with a beach and wetlands. For hot

summer days, this is a great spot for a swim. Come back in the winter for a cross-country ski. The 1500 acres, aside from the beach, also include a beach house, picnic facilities for families and large groups, and play areas.

Recognized as a neighborhood park, Huff Park serves as the recreational and social focus of the community. Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, this park features a

playground, ball field, and wetlands boardwalk trail that is perfect for a family outing. The seasonal gardens and flowers that bloom throughout the year create lovely scenery. Recent park renovations include a new boardwalk, overlook deck, new playground, and improvements to the restroom and concessions building. This park is a great escape from the city while in the city.

Cherry Park is a beautiful park in a nice community with plenty of space to relax and take in the springtime scenery. Close by is Cherry St Market which sells plenty of snacks that can be enjoyed at the park.

Belknap Park, renamed in 1932 to honor Civil War veteran Captain Charles Belknap, is the site of the city’s first reservoir. In the 1970s, Grand Rapids Project X, an earthwork sculpture

was cut into the hillside. This park is best for outdoor events due to its lighted baseball field, outdoor pickleball courts, and indoor ice rink. While parking can be difficult to find, the breathtaking view is worth it.

Crescent Park is a small half-moon-shaped park established circa 1858. It is thought to be Grand Rapids’ oldest park. The park features picnic tables and benches. Although the park is

small, it provides a nice quiet patch of green space near the heart of the city. Friends of Crescent Park is a nonprofit organization that was created to renovate and maintain the park which included a small plaza dedicated to cancer survivors.

Pleasant Park is located in the heart of Grand Rapids with plenty of open green space. The area is popular for walking, running, and cycling. In 2010, a consensus-based park concept

plan was developed with the input and support of residents and neighborhood organizations. With that, a city-owned parking lot was transformed into Pleasant Park, a 2.4-acre neighborhood park. The park officially opened to the public on July 31st, 2014.