The downtown park, located on Monroe Avenue Northwest just north of the Sixth Street Bridge, will be transformed into a community hub with amenities such as a new multi-purpose plaza with rentable enclosed pavilion, a kayak launch platform, and a universally accessible play space called “River Story.” Director of Parks and Recreation David Marquardt explains the main reason Canal Park was chosen for the update.
“We know that we’ve got river restoration work that will be taking place over the next several years, restoring the rapids and restoring the health of the ecology of this Grand River corridor.”
Marquardt says a key piece of that work includes restoring the ecological health of the river’s edge within the park itself by adding native plants. He also emphasizes that the park, its new features, and the river will be completely accessible to individuals of any ability.
“That will really, I think, enhance, again, residents and visitors opportunities to interact and engage with the Grand River in ways that we haven’t been able to in years past.”
The update is one of seventeen vibrancy projects throughout West Michigan that received grants funded by the American Rescue Plan back in October. Designs for the park were created by VIRIDIS Design Group out of Kalamazoo. Work on the park is expected to begin within the next year or two and last approximately two years.