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Grand Rapids welcomes summer with pools, splash pads and kayak rentals

Courtesy City of Grand Rapids

The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation department is encouraging residents to make the most of the season

With summer now in full swing the City of Grand Rapids and the Recreation Department are inviting residents and visitors to make the most of the season.This, with the opening of City pools, splash pads and the return of Kayak rentals on the Grand River.

Parks and Rec director Laura Cleypool says in a news release, “From swimming and paddling to neighborhood splash pads and community events, we’re excited to provide opportunities that help neighbors stay active, connect with others and enjoy the outdoors.”

The City’s three outdoor pools – Briggs, Richmond and Martin Luther King Park Pools – will open for the 2026 season at noon on Saturday June 6 and operate through Saturday, Aug. 15th.

Splash pads throughout Grand Rapids will also open for the season beginning June 6th, giving free opportunities to adults and children alike to beat the heat. 

Plus, residents and visitors can once again experience the Grand River from a new perspective with kayak rentals available at Riverside Park.

You can find more information about all these activities including hours and any rental costs at grandrapidsmi.gov/pools or grandrapidsmi.gov/kayaking.

Jennifer is an award winning broadcast news journalist with more than two decades of professional television news experience including the nation's fifth largest news market. She's worked as both news reporter and news anchor for television and radio in markets from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo all the way to San Francisco, California.
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