Big Changes Ahead!

Last Year, the Kent County Parks Department began the process to create a master plan for the Thornapple Riverbend Greenspace. The Parks Department enlisted the services of Viridis Design Group as a consultant to facilitate the process.

The Master Plan process included input sessions, online surveys, and conversations with park staff and stakeholders to gather ideas and solicit feedback on conceptual plans for the park. The consultants met with local municipal leaders, members of the Kent County Board of Commissioners, non-profit groups, the Kent County Parks Foundation and other local stakeholders. The public was invited to attend a public input session on August 8th, as well as participate in an online survey to provide ideas and suggestions for development of the park space.

The initial survey, public input sessions, and conversations with stakeholders enabled us to create a list of priorities that served as a basis for developing the master plan. Here is our priority list:

Using this list, a conceptual master plan for park development was created and presented to the public for feedback. The plan focuses on the high and medium priority items. The conceptual plans were presented during an open house on September 30th.

Once the public open houses were complete, the consultant compiled all the comments and feedback into a singular comprehensive Master Plan that will guide future development of the space.

Now that the Master Plan is complete we are in the process of developing strategies to bring it to fruition. Be on the lookout for ways you can help to contribute to park development through fundraising and volunteer opportunities in the near future!

*The Master Plan includes property not yet acquired by Kent County, and users should be aware to please respect our neighbors and refrain from using property not in Kent County ownership.