Read the Kent County Parks Department's Quarterly Newsletter

Late spring is always an exciting time at Kent County Parks! The whirlwind of waking up the parks from their winter slumber is behind us, the weather is settling into a more predictable pattern, and our maintenance crews are hitting their stride—ensuring parks and trails are in top shape for all our visitors.

Spring also marks the start of construction season, and we’re thrilled about several projects already underway. Earthwork has begun on the Wahlfield Dog Park—our first enclosed dog park—and we’ve completed playground replacements across the system. This includes two new playgrounds at Millennium Park, three at Wabasis Lake Park and Campground, and one at Myers Lake Park. Myers Lake also received a much-needed renovation and expansion of its beach area, which is now open to the public and ready for summer fun.

Several other projects will be kicking off soon. One of the most notable is the development of six miles of adaptive mountain bike trails at Johnson Park, funded through the Grand River Greenway grant program—provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and administered by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

The nice weather also means more activities and events in our parks. This year, we’re thrilled to partner with Blandford Nature Center on the new Nature Neighbors program. These affordable, nature-based educational experiences will be offered in several of our parks—be sure to check out the full details later in the newsletter.

As we move into summer, our team will also begin planning for future park improvements. One initiative I’m particularly excited about is the first phase of development at Lowell Regional Greenspace. This massive 533-acre property, located in Lowell Township at Alden Nash Avenue and Cascade Road, has been slowly acquired by our department over the past three decades—and now it’s time to create a long-term vision and master plan for the site. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed about opportunities to help shape the future of this incredible park later this year.

Until then, I hope to see you out enjoying one of our 43 parks or 109 miles of trails!

Ben Swayze
Director

Pictured above is Ben Swayze, Kent County Parks Department Director

We’re excited to team up with Blandford Nature Center to launch Nature Neighbors—a brand-new series of low-cost, nature-based programs for all ages. These fun, interactive activities are happening in parks across the county all summer long and are designed to help people connect with the outdoors, each other, and the land we all share.

“We built the Nature Neighbors series to be engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Izzy Saylor, Off-Site Programs Manager at Blandford. “We want participants to leave with a deeper connection to their environment and a renewed sense of community inspired by nature.”

“Nature Neighbors shows what’s possible when we work together to enrich our public spaces,” said Ben Swayze, Kent County Parks Director. “Thanks to this growing partnership with Blandford and support from generous donors, our parks are becoming even more vibrant places to learn, connect, and recharge.”

 For more information on program dates, times, and registration details, please visit the Nature Neighbors website.

Pictured above is a young boy learning from a Blandford Nature Center Educator during the Nature Neighbor program's Bumblebee Nature Walk.

🔍 Go on a "Find Curi" Adventure

Join the “Find Curi” scavenger hunt and search for KDL’s Summer Wonder guide "Curi" at more than a dozen locations across nine Kent County park sites. Each clue leads you through scenic trails and greenspaces—perfect for curious kids (and grown-ups) who love a good challenge in the great outdoors!

📚 Outdoor Storytime & Bookmobile Visits

And don’t miss the KDL Bookmobile as it rolls into parks this summer! KDL librarians will be hosting Outdoor Storytime at Millennium Park starting in early June, with stories, rhymes, and music in the great outdoors. Afterward, stick around to play in the park and stop by the Bookmobile to register for a library card, check out materials, or learn more about Summer Wonder. Other Bookmobile events will feature evening shows, live performances, and even live animals at various Kent County Parks throughout the summer. Check the KDL website for the full schedule of dates, times, and locations.

Other fun collaborations this summer include the "Read for Trees" reading program and a brand-new KDL StoryWalk at Dwight Lydell Park—perfect for families looking to combine reading and outdoor fun.

Want to learn more about these summer programs? Email us for all the details!

Pictured above is the KDL Bookmobile set up in various locations for its Outdoor Storytime series.

“Bringing transit to Millennium Park has been a goal for years,” said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. “This expansion means that riders across the region will be able to take advantage of all the amenities the park has to offer—without needing a car.”

Route 1000 runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., connecting The Rapid’s Central Station (250 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW) to the VanAndel Beach House inside the park (1415 Maynard Ave. SW in Walker). With about 30 stops and bike racks on every bus, it’s easier than ever to get to the park—by foot, bus, or bike.

Reliable transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to enjoying nature,” said Parks Director Ben Swayze. “This new route helps open up all of Millennium Park, from the beach to the trails, to more people, more often.”

Millennium Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, with 1,400 acres of natural space, more than 18 miles of trails, a 100-acre lake with a marked swim area, and a zero-depth splashpad with more than a dozen sprayers and buckets.

Hours, admission rates, and boat rental info are available on our website—where you can build a season pass for the whole family. Happy summer!

Pictured above is a family and kids enjoying Millennium Park's beach and splashpad on a bright, late spring day.

We’re excited to introduce a familiar face making a major impact in a new role—Rachel Townsend, our new Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist! Longtime volunteers might remember Rachel from her early years with us, when her love for ecology and a master’s degree in Biological Sciences made her a natural leader in the field. Now, she's returned with powerful new skills—this time as a certified GIS professional from Michigan State University.

Since her return, Rachel has helped transform how we manage, record, and share data across our stewardship and volunteer programs. Out with clipboards and paper maps and in with custom-built tools that track invasive species treatments, tree surveys, volunteer hours, and more in real time!

Her innovative Survey123 app has been essential for our DNR Forestry grant work, while the new Volunteer Dashboard highlights the impact of community service across our park system with clarity and transparency. And thanks to Rachel, our team is now collaborating directly with the County’s GIS department—bringing high-level mapping capabilities to every corner of the Parks Department.

With Rachel’s innovative tools and the growing power of GIS behind us, our volunteer programs are more connected, impactful, and data-driven than ever before. Whether you're mapping invasive species, pulling garlic mustard, or simply exploring new ways to give back, this is a great time to get involved. You can email us your interest, or register for any of our upcoming volunteer stewardship events:

• Garlic Mustard Pull at Lamoreaux Park – Saturday, May 31
• Stewardship Day at Creekside Park – Wednesday, June 4
• Planting Day at Kent Trails – Thursday, June 5
• National Trails Day at Fallasburg Park – Saturday, June 7
• Stewardship Day at Luton Park – Thursday, June 12
• Thornapple Riverbend Eco-Stewardship Service Day – Saturday, June 14
• Stewardship Day at Provin Trails – Wednesday, June 25
• Invasive Species Control Day at Cooper Creek – Wednesday, June 25

To learn more about additional conservation and stewardship opportunities scheduled for the summer season, visit our website.

Pictured above is our new GIS Specialist, Rachel Townsend.

If you’ve spent any time on the trails at Seidman Park lately, you might have unknowingly passed by some quiet science in action. That’s thanks to Dr. William Miller, a wildlife biologist and Assistant Professor of Biology at Calvin University, who’s been leading a tick surveillance study in partnership with our department.

Dr. Miller started this work with Calvin University back in 2018, bringing a deep interest in how wildlife and environmental health intersect with human well-being.

“I’m a wildlife biologist by training, and I have a really keen interest in the interrelationship between wildlife and environmental health and how that affects human health—and vice versa,” he said.

Dr. Miller's research team visits many area parks regularly—dragging the trails with specialized cloths to collect ticks and monitor how their populations change year to year.

“We watch this park periodically for the presence of ticks,” Dr. Miller explains. “It helps us get a handle on public health exposure risks and ecological drivers—like why some areas have more ticks than others.”

One major culprit? Invasive Japanese barberry. This common ornamental shrub is a nuisance in natural areas. Not only does barberry create a dense, thorny thicket perfect for sheltering ticks, but it also offers a cozy hiding place for small mammals—ideal hosts for the blacklegged tick, the main carrier of Lyme disease in our region. Dr. Miller’s team is also monitoring deer and small mammal populations to better understand how they contribute to tick spread.

This summer, our stewardship crew will be targeting barberry removal in areas where it’s most likely contributing to tick habitat. It’s a great example of how science directly informs the way we care for our parks—and how our staff and volunteers are helping put that science into action.

Curious about how to protect yourself and your pets from ticks while enjoying the outdoors? Visit the CDC’s tick prevention page for tips on staying safe and tick-free all season long.

Get ready to hit the greens! Season passes, Smart Cards, and exclusive packages for the 2025 Kaufman Golf Course season are on sale now. Whether you're a daily golfer or just looking to play more often, there's an option to fit your swing. One of the best values this season is our 40-round Smart Card for just $750—perfect for regulars looking to save. We also offer a variety of season passes for all age groups and skill levels!

Looking for an easy getaway packed with natural beauty and lakefront fun? Wabasis Lake Campground is open for the 2025 season! Just a short drive from Grand Rapids, this popular destination features 75 campsites (from primitive to full hook-up), eight cozy rental cabins, and a four-bedroom cottage with its own dock on the lake. Enjoy over a mile of shoreline, a sandy beach, boat ramp, and a fully stocked camp store.

You can check availability and make a reservation online or by calling 616-632-7840.

Are you a reporter or member of the media and see something you'd like to cover? Reach out to Christina Anthony, Marketing and Communications Manager, for quotes, interviews, background info, or anything else you need to tell a great parks story:

• Phone – 724-691-5120
• Email – christina.anthony@kentcountymi.gov

Have a story idea, partnership pitch, or just a great photo from one of our parks? We love hearing from the community! Email us anytime—we’re always on the lookout for good stories and fresh ideas to share!

Pictured above is Christina Anthony, Marketing and Communications Manager.