GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Construction is beginning on a new park in Grand Rapids this fall—and your help is needed to name it.
Leaders with the City of Grand Rapids are looking for submissions to name the new park, which will be located at 680 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue SW.
The park will include play areas, cafe-style seating, lawn space, a hammock area, a kiosk and a rentable shelter.
Leaders say community members were involved with designing the park, and that asking the public to submit names continues that involvement.
“This is a first-of-its-kind, community-led park naming process for Grand Rapids,” said David Marquardt, the city’s parks and recreation director. “Our hope is that this campaign will make neighbors again feel directly included in creating a new community asset that reflects the surrounding neighborhood identity.”
All names must follow the city's park naming policy and have some kind of cultural, historical or social significance.
After the submissions are received, a community stakeholder group will narrow down the options and the Parks Advisory Board will approve them. The names will then be put to a public vote. In October, the City Commission will consider the name with the most votes.
Voting is open until Sunday, July 14. Names can be submitted online here. The Parks and Recreation Department will also be at the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Farmer’s Market on June 14 and July 12 to accept names in person.
City leaders hope to begin construction on the park this fall.
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