GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids City Commissioners approved an agreement to send a grant request to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for $300,000 to make upgrades and improvements at the Grand Rapids Bike Park.
If the grant request is successful, the funds will be matched with 50% of the total cost. So, another $300,000 of millage funding will go towards a roughly $600,000 project at the bike park.
David Marquardt, the director of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, said while the park has been open for years they're hoping the grant funding would help them to make some expansions.
"We're looking to really legitimize some of the improvements that have been made here in the past, and begin to expand on them. what's occurring here right now is really great and really impressive. We've got some wonderful little skills area like the one behind me where kids can learn the basics of mountain biking and get very comfortable with some of the basic skills, and then progress into some more advanced cycling opportunities as well," said Director of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation, David Marquardt.
The 16-acre community park currently includes a pump track, a skills loop and an intermediate trail through the woods.
Marquardt said there are areas in the park where kids can learn the basics of mountain biking and then progress into more advanced cycling opportunities. With the grant, they're hoping to make areas like this for all age groups.
"We believe in the Parks and Recreation Department that any activities that we can provide for kids, youth and families to participate in creates a healthier community, a stronger community a safer community really. And so this is just yet another component of some programming and programmatic areas that we intend to deliver to Grand Rapids residents for their benefit for the benefit of the community as well," Marquardt said.
He said specific things the project would include are a new shelter facility, more parking spaces, new skills-building loops and expansions on some of the existing skills components.
"We believe in the Parks and Recreation Department, that any activities that we can provide for kids, youth and families to participate in creates a healthier community, a stronger community, a safer community," Marquardt said.
Now that the grant request has been submitted, there's a waiting period until the end of December 2024 to find out whether or not funding will be given.
If they do receive funding for the project, a grant agreement from the State of Michigan won't be given until June 2025. Then, the project can begin.
While there are no bikes or helmets available to rent at the bike park, Marquardt said there's a gear library at Roosevelt Park where residents can get connected with the equipment they need.
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