GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The City of Grand Rapids is inviting the community to celebrate the groundbreaking of improvements coming to Martin Luther King Park.
Back in April, the historic lodge was demolished to make room for the new renovations. The new lodge will see an updated, year-round gymnasium with a full basketball court, locker and changing rooms for the pool, gathering spaces for class and recreational use and an office for the neighborhood association.
There will also be a pool house that will serve as a new entrance to the pool deck.
In addition, there will be an expanded parking lot, a new playground, a new fitness loop and a relocated community garden.
“This project is the culmination of extensive feedback sessions from neighbors,” said Parks and Recreation Director David Marquardt. “The new facilities at Martin Luther King Park will be vibrant, inclusive, accessible and reflective of the rich history and vitality of the park and neighborhood at large.”
The funding for the project, which is expected to cost $19.7 million, comes from the Capital Fund, a parks millage passed in 2019, the Third Ward Equity Fund, a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) grant and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
The groundbreaking is Monday, June 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be ice cream, music, games and raffles after the groundbreaking ceremony.
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