A news release says that before the passage of a dedicated parks millage a decade ago, nearly 22 percent of Grand Rapids parks were classified at the lowest level of maintenance.
Today, thanks to investment of that millage funding, all parks now receive elevated levels of maintenance.
The seven-year millage passed by Grand Rapids voters in 2013 and subsequent evergreen millage passed in 2019 has allowed the operations staff to increase staffing and purchase innovative new equipment.
Parks and Recreation Director David Marquardt said the millage proposals passed by Grand Rapids voters have allowed a greater focus on the future, rather than focusing on current maintenance needs.
Marquardt said there are multiple ways the department is aiming for continuous improvement and efficiency across the City’s 75 parks accounting for more than 2,000 acres, which include efficiency and innovation, sustainability and accountability.
For a listing of Grand Rapids parks and amenities visit grandrapidsmi.gov/parks
