ADA, Michigan — Ada community leaders announced their plans Wednesday for a new park and expanded trail system.
It's a big project with a big price tag: $8.5 million.
It would expand park space on both sides of the Thornapple River with the Ada Covered Bridge at the center.
The new Ada Covered Bridge Park will include a splash pad, pickleball courts, a dog park, river outlooks, picnic spaces and more. New pedestrian walkways that will link Ada Covered Bridge Park with Legacy Park across the street are also central to the project.
Including land that once held Leonard Field and the property on the western edge of the bridge, the community project is nearing its financial fundraising goals.
Thanks to major donors and the community, the project has already secured $7.3 million.
Leading the fundraising efforts for the Connecting Community campaign are co-chairs Loren and Kelley Crandell, and Joshua and Leslie Hulst.
“The Ada Covered Bridge is really the heart of this project,” said Cheri DeVos, honorary co-chair of Connecting Community. “It represents the history of Ada. It’s a connector. It’s the first thing many people think of when they hear the words 'Ada Village,' and it is only fitting that it should be the centerpiece and name of this beautiful new park. Optimizing this space to meet community needs while enhancing the trail network that connects to it will be a wonderful addition to this growing area.”
This project was first dreamed up in 2006. Then in 2013, community meetings and forums narrowed down the vision for the projects.
One of the key takeaways from those meetings was to expand on outdoor recreation opportunities and to spruce up existing parks in the area.
“We are so happy to support this campaign and are excited to know that this beautiful outdoor space will be available for members of our community for generations to come,” said Amy Van Andel, honorary co-chair of Connecting Community alongside her husband, Steve. “This is a perfect complement to all the growth in Ada over the recent years and will do so much to create an even more engaging, vibrant and fun environment for everyone to enjoy.”
An additional 15 acres across the Thornapple River from Legacy Park will be turned into walking trails, the kayak launch, and more river outlooks.
Construction could begin as soon as early 2025.
If you'd like to learn more about the project and how to contribute, click here.
Ada Covered Bridge Park renderings
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