GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Riverside Park in Grand Rapids is set to get an obstacle-free kayak launch, a fourth picnic shelter, bathroom renovations and more.

On Tuesday morning October 12, Grand Rapids commissioners gave their initial approval to a construction contract that would see these park improvements in place sometime in the spring or summer of 2022.

The $ 985,000 contract includes previous design work and is expected to receive final approval at the committee meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday via a global vote on the agenda.

Approximately $ 835,000 of the funding will come from the city’s Parks Millage Fund and the remaining $ 150,000 from a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Construction is expected to begin this fall.

Plans for the 64-acre park along the Grand River at 2001 Monroe Ave. NW include improvements to the sports field, a new picnic shelter, a renovated bathroom building, updated tables, benches and grates throughout the park, a new concrete sidewalk and more.

They are also calling for an accessible kayak launch in the lagoon area in the middle of the park that connects to the Grand River. This would be the city’s first accessible kayak launch.

Accessible kayak ramps are designed to make it easier for everyone to get in and out of the boat, including people with disabilities or people with disabilities. The floating docks are equipped with guardrails, steps and a platform to descend into the boat.

“I got to experience my first accessible kayak launch in Allegan, Michigan; They have one over there on the Kalamazoo river, ”the first ward commissioner Kurt Reppart told his colleagues on Tuesday. “It’s really cool. It was very easy to navigate.”

Riverside Park currently has a boat launch, in addition to a number of athletic fields, paved trails, picnic areas, a fishing dock and more.

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