Grand Rapids Area Park Guide

Leslie E. Tasslle Park in Cascade

 Want to make having fun with the family “a walk in the park”?  What could be easier (or cheaper) than planning a day at one of the many area parks?  

 This guide includes parks that come with a parent recommendation from our ever growing  grkid family!  Do you know of a hidden gem that should be included in the guide or have a great photo of one of the parks?  Send it to parks@grkids.com!

Ada

Ada Township Park (Grand River Dr. & Buttrick Ave.) This 57-acre park is a family favorite because of its playground for little toddlers and big kids!  The park also has a fun fishing pond (restricted to those under 12, senior citizens or physically challenged individuals). Softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and paved and unpaved trails.  There are plenty of grills and picnic tables in the 2 gazebos and pavilion to make it a great picnic spot.

Leonard Park (7490 Thornapple River Drive)This is a small riverside park that is home to Ada’s covered bridge.   The park is great for a picnic on a blanket, is within walking distance of the quaint town of Ada, and is connected to a bike path.  Remember this park in the winter when they flood the softball field to make an ice rink!

Roselle Park  (1010 Grand River Dr.)

This park has 240 acre’s of natural area with paved and unpaved trail winding through it.  Much of the trail winds alongside the Thornapple River.  THere are plenty of places to stop along the river to fish, let the dog run, or take in the view.  It’s the perfect place for a family bike ride (no biking on unpaved trails)!  The paths are nice and wide and extremely flat….perfect for new riders!  Near the parking area there are also 2 silos,1  with a rock climbing wall on it and 1 that you can climb interior stairs to an observation area.

Alpine

Wahlfield Park (6811 Alpine Avenue)

This park is set way off the road, with  picnic tables, bathrooms, a great playground, and a nice trail leading back through the woods.  The trail is perfect for walking and cross-country skiing.

Cascade 

Cascade Township Park (3810 Thornapple River Drive SE)

Families love the playgrounds at this park and they’re easy to get to since this park is located right off of 1-96.  The playground area includes a picnic pavilion, bathrooms, and drinking fountain.  There always seems to be a breeze at this park making it a great park to cool off at or fly a kite on a windy day!  The 55-acre park also features  two baseball/softball diamonds, a multi-purpose field for soccer/football, a one-mile pedestrian path, four horseshoe pits, a sand volleyball court, an 18-hole Frisbee golf course and four tennis courts.

Leslie E. Tassell Park (2900 Thornapple River Dr)

Make sure you pack clothes that can get wet or even swimsuits! Kids will love to play in the interactive fountain at this park!   Bring the fishing poles too and make use of the docks or shoreline of the Thornapple River or just enjoy watching the water funnel through the Cascade dam.  The park also boasts sculptures, a fire pit, two shelters and a public restroom. Picnic tables and benches are located throughout the park

East Grand Rapids

Manhattan Recreation Area (3180 Cascade Rd)

This 40-acre park is a great place to come and play for the day! Besides an awesome playground  this park  has charcoal grills, a pavilion for rent, 12 picnic tables, nature trails, 4 sand volleyball courts, 4 softball diamonds, 2 tennis courts, soccer fields, and a public restroom with drinking fountain.

Waterfront Park & Reeds Lake Trails (2205 Reeds Lake Blvd)

Just because there isn’t a playground doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun!  This park is located on the waterfront of Reeds Lake and includes board walks, docks, and benches.  It’s the perfect place to sit and relax…after, you’ve walked or rode your bike on the Reeds Lake Trail!  The trail is a 4.2 mile loop that scrolls around Reeds Lake through wooded areas, wetlands, and residential areas with several opportunities to stop and catch your breath on benches.

Grand Rapids

Blanford Nature Center (1715 Hillburn Avenue, NW)

Families love the variety of nature areas with hiking trails and the chance to scout out wildlife at this 143-acre nature center.  Indoors, families enjoy exhibits and the popular wildlife care program.

Grand Rapids Township Park ( 1836 E Beltline Ave NE)

This 58-acre park is tucked behind the Township Hall Complex and has an excellent handicap accessible playground!  It also  includes three ball fields, soccer field, sand volley ball, three tennis courts, basketball hoops, and nature trails that can be used for cross-country skiing in the winter.

Huff Park and Cattail Crossing (2399 Ball Ave NE)

This unique park includes a small playground and 3 ball fields….not so unique, think again!    While the park is located in a city neighborhood,  it makes you feel like you’re stepping into the country with its 30-acre wetland boardwalk trail!  It’s the perfect place to take a stroll and spot a variety of wildlife living right in the city! 

 Millennium Park (1415 Maynard Ave. SW)

Kids will love the parks six-acre beach and splash pad (check the parks website for fees and hours). The beach area has a nearby concession stand and beach house with bathrooms and changing rooms. The park also has nearly 20 miles of trails, playground, picnic areas, and fishing ponds.

Jenison 

Hagar Park (Bauer Rd. & 28th Ave.)

This 104-acre family park is full of beautiful trails and picnic areas.  Be sure to check out the parks Age of Discovery community-built playground which overlooks a terrain map of the United States.

Lowell

Fallsburg Park (1124 Fallasburg Road)
This 56-acre park is perfect for playing and picnicking.  The park is home to a rugged stream and one of the area’s oldest covered bridges.  Fallsburg park goes beyond just offering beautiful scenery and also includes: baseball diamonds, fishing, hiking, nature trails, an open shelter house, picnicking, playgrounds, an enclosed shelter house, and restrooms.

Rockford 

Pickerel Lake Park (6001 Ramsdell Road NE)

Pickerel Lake Park is a great place for a family to take a nature walk!  The park is very picturesque and gives you a close look at the lake and surrounding area  from its boardwalk and trails.  Pickerel Lake Park activities and facilities include; cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking/walking, and restrooms.

Townsend Park (8280 6 Mile Road)

Townsend Park is a popular park with beautiful footpath bridges and a pretty stream that winds through it.  Townsend Park activities and facilities include: baseball diamonds, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking/walking, nature trails, an open shelter house, a playground, an enclosed shelter house, and restrooms.

Wyoming

Frog Hollow (2050 Metro Court)

This park, created by Boundless Playgrounds, includes a beautiful playground where all children, with and without disabilities, can learn together through play.

Linus Palmer Park (1275 52nd Street SW)

This park follows Buck Creek and connects to Lamar Park.  The park includes baseball diamonds, biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, an 18-hole golf course, picnicking, hiking/walking, a playground, an open shelter house, and restrooms.

Lamar Park (2561 Porter St SW)

The amount of activities at this park is jaw dropping!  The 75 acre park includes a splash pad, 3 picnic sections, restrooms, grills, playgrounds, walking trails, fishing, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, climbing wall, grills, soccer fields, and softball fields!