Read the Kent County Parks Department's Quarterly Newsletter

It feels like just yesterday we were ramping up to welcome everyone into our parks for the summer—and now the first leaves are already beginning to change. What a season it's been! From new programs to exciting events, we’ve been busy bringing even more ways for you to get outside and explore all our system has to offer.

One of those programs is Nature Neighbors in partnership with Blandford Nature Center. Initial feedback from participants reveals the program is wildly popular, and we’re already planning to carry that success into next year. We also partnered with the Grand Rapids Symphony to support the return of the Picnic Pops concert series at Millennium Park and the Kent District Library for its Summer Wonder program.

Looking ahead, there are even more ways to connect with our parks this fall. In late September, the 57th Annual Fallasburg Arts Festival will bring art, music, and food to one of our most scenic parks—just in time for peak fall colors. You’ll also want to mark your calendars for the upcoming Townsend Park Centennial Celebration, which you can read more about below.

And while you’re enjoying these events, know that we’re making big changes behind the scenes to improve your park experience. Major improvements are underway at both Johnson and Wahlfield Parks, with even bigger projects kicking off soon along the Grand River Greenway.

Shovels may be in the ground now, but we’re already planning the next wave of park and trail improvements for 2026 and beyond. Stay up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram, where we're always sharing the latest news and updates. Most of all, I hope to see you out on the trails this fall!

Ben Swayze
Director

Wahlfield Park

Already one of our most popular destinations for hiking and mountain biking, we’re thrilled to be adding our first enclosed dog park at Wahlfield Park. This 10-acre park will feature a one-acre small dog area, a two-acre open activity field, crushed stone walking trails through natural areas, and a one-acre swimming pond with a dog beach and jumping dock. The park will also include a four-season family-style restroom with a dog wash station, as well as an additional restroom to serve hikers and mountain bikers. Construction is underway, and we’re planning a grand opening in late spring 2026.

Wahlfield Park is named after Fritz and Marlene Wahlfield, who donated the original 50 acres for the park in 1983. Fritz was a longtime Kent County Commissioner and parks supporter, and his son, Fritz Wahlfield Jr., and grandson, Fritz Wahlfield III, continue the family tradition of giving back to the community. Wahlfield Construction is building the two restrooms and has contributed over $200,000 in in-kind work and coordinated donations to the project. In addition, Fritz Jr. and his wife Liz have made a generous personal contribution. A big thank you to the Wahlfield family and Wahlfield Construction for helping make this incredible project a reality!

Gordon Park

Last year, we celebrated our department’s centennial, marking 100 years since we opened our first park, Gordon Park. This year, we added an open shelter to the park to support both public and private events. The shelter was funded and built in partnership with Kent County Community Development, and we’re grateful for their investment in this amazing community asset.

To learn more about the Public Infrastructure Improvements Program, visit the Kent County Community Action Department's website. To rent the shelter for an event, please visit our website. When not rented, the shelter is available for public use on a first-come, first-served basis.

Grand River Greenway

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg, commissioners, our director, and community leaders gathered at Grand River Riverfront Park in Lowell Township to celebrate the next chapter of the Grand River Greenway Project. Over the next two years, a $150 million investment—supported by American Rescue Plan Act funding, grants, local government budgets, and more—will add 31 new miles of connected trails and close key gaps in the Greenway.

Nearly nine miles of new trails are already underway, including a pedestrian tunnel under Northland Drive and non-motorized bridges over the Grand River at Knapp Street and the Rogue River at Rogue River Drive. By 2026, this expansion will link the White Pine Trail to Ada Township’s trail network.

Once complete, the Greenway will stretch from Lowell all the way to Lake Michigan, creating nearly 200 miles of connected pathways that link people to parks, communities, and one another. This next chapter is a huge step forward in connecting our residents to the outdoors, offering new opportunities for recreation, exploration, and community connection across Kent County. 

Johnson Park

Exciting improvements are also underway at Johnson Park, the west Kent County Trailhead for the Grand River Greenway. Work began in 2024 with a redesigned and expanded parking lot and new stormwater improvements. We’re now constructing six miles of natural surface trails built to the standards of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), offering options for mountain bikers of all skill levels, as well as walkers, runners, and hikers. Trail options will include beginner and family-friendly loops, intermediate trails, and a few potential flow trails. All segments are planned to be bike-optimized with a 48” width to accommodate adaptive bicycles. Over a mile of trails is already cut, and we aim to open the system to the public in summer 2026. 

The West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance (WMMBA) has been an incredible partner on several of our projects and is currently raising funds for additional enhancements to the Johnson Park trails. Visit their website to get involved and learn more about these efforts.

Beyond the trails, we’re also improving the park’s amenities to make it welcoming for all visitors. Plans include a new four-season family-style restroom, a replacement playground, and several smaller covered gathering spaces, creating spaces for rest, play, and community gatherings alongside the trail system.

For more than two decades, we’ve offered limited-access archery hunting on over 1,100 acres of pristine parkland, including several properties partially funded through Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Trust Fund grants. This program gives our residents a chance to enjoy outdoor recreation and connect with nature in areas they might not normally access. A limited number of permits are available each year and all hunting is subject to state and local regulations.

This year, the participating parks include:

• Cooper Creek Park/Spencer Forest – 458 acres, max 15 hunters
• Lowell Regional Greenspace – 306 acres, max 15 hunters
• Long Lake Park – 100 acres, max 5 hunters
• Two Rivers Greenspace – 252 acres, max 7 hunters

Applications will be accepted online or by phone from Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5. Permits will then be issued through a random drawing. You can learn more about each park, view maps, and see the full rules for hunting on our parks on our website.

Jeanette Krause, our Office Administrator, has been part of the Parks family for more than 26 years. Her journey began in 1996 when she worked as a seasonal employee at Wabasis Lake Campground while finishing her senior year at Greenville High School. During her third summer there, Krause was invited to join the main office full time—and she’s been with us ever since.

In her role, Krause is often the first voice people hear when reserving space for weddings, reunions, or camping trips. One of her favorite parts of the job is helping families continue long-standing reunion traditions.

“I love hearing how many years they’ve been coming to our parks, how many cousins will be there, and who’s bringing the potato salad,” she said.

Of course, some calls are more difficult than others, like those from families interested in reserving a park space for a funeral or celebration of life.

“Nothing prepares me emotionally to take that call,” she said. “But I take pride in knowing our parks were some of their favorite places to visit, and that they chose one of our parks to say goodbye.”

Even after these emotional moments, Krause’s love for the parks never wavers. She continues to be proud of all they have to offer. “We have something for everyone—you can camp, swim, golf, bike, hike, boat, picnic, ride horses, rent kayaks, volunteer, play disc golf, and so much more,” she said.

Her advice is simple: “Get out and enjoy one—or all—of our parks. You’ll be glad you did.”

Located off 6 Mile Road in Cannonsburg, Townsend Park has been a cherished destination for Kent County families, organizations, and visitors for a century now—starting with its first 21 acres deeded by William and Aurelia Joyce in 1924 for a rate of $50 an acre. Just a year later, the Parks Department acquired an additional 30 acres from John and Anna Skiparis, forming the core of the park we know today.

Early development of Townsend Park included ball fields, shelters, and scenic areas along the beautiful Bear Creek. The park officially opened and was dedicated on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1925, the same day it hosted the Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) “employee picnic,” attended by County officers and supervisors. For years afterward, these annual August picnics continued at Townsend Park, becoming a cherished tradition for employees and the community alike.

From that point forward, Townsend Park quickly became a hub of activity, hosting thousands of visitors at a time. Families, businesses, and community groups enjoyed marshmallow roasts, reunions, outdoor breakfasts, and open-air church services. By the late 1920s, an estimated 6,000 people visited Townsend Park on holidays and weekends with over 12,000 on Labor Day in 1927 alone. Over the decades, Townsend Park continued to expand and evolve, adding shelters, trails, and additional acreage—including another hundred acres in 2023.

The park’s namesake, Warren R. Townsend, was the Kent County Road and Park Commissioner and the visionary behind Kent County Parks. Townsend recognized the importance of public green spaces and worked closely with local landowners to acquire the first parcels for the park. His commitment helped create the foundation for the extensive park system we enjoy today.

A century later, Townsend Park continues to welcome visitors for picnics, sports, hiking, and countless family memories. To celebrate this rich history and the park’s ongoing role in our community, we invite everyone to join us for the centennial celebration on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 8280 6 Mile Road in Cannonsburg, from about 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come reflect on 100 years of memories and community connection while enjoying nature programming, stewardship opportunities, a fun-run, food, and more!

As summer winds down and the school year begins, we’re reflecting on another busy and successful season at Millennium Park’s Beach and Splashpad. This year, we employed over 30 seasonal staff, some who joined us as early as March, while others will remain through November as the park transitions into its off-season.

Our team keeps the park running smoothly, overseeing everything from reservations to maintenance. This year, Millennium Park hosted over 325 reservations, including weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, 5Ks, and even baptisms. Of those, 31 included use of our 18-mile trail system, highlighting the variety of activities our park offers.

Beyond reservations, our staff maintains landscaping, cleans bathrooms, manages irrigation, and handles day-to-day operations—including those unexpected challenges like clogged toilets or broken foot washes. With over 128,000 visitors at the beach alone this season, our team has worked hard to ensure Millennium Park remains clean, safe, and welcoming for all.

This summer was hot—in every sense of the word! From record crowds to bustling beach days, the park was full of energy. We brought in nearly 2,800 visitors on our busiest day and sold over 1,000 season passes tied to more than 4,000 members. Even with the school year now underway, there’s still time to soak up the final days of summer.

The splashpad and concessions will be open for Labor Day weekend only (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday), while the beach will remain FREE from Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Sunday, Sept. 7, with boat rentals continuing through Sunday, Sept. 7.

We’re grateful to our incredible staff and all our visitors for making this season such a success. And while summer is coming to a close, the trails and main park areas remain open year-round, offering countless ways to enjoy Millennium Park in every season.

This fall, volunteers and the public can get involved in several exciting ways. At Millennium Park, we’re tackling Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a fast-spreading invasive species that crowds out native plants and provides a host for the destructive spotted lanternfly—thankfully not yet established in Michigan. Volunteers can help slow these clonal invaders with careful bark hacks, marking trees for long-term control while learning the importance of canopy health. All tools, training, and supplies are provided, and no long-distance hiking is required, though some off-trail work is part of the experience.

Meanwhile, at Palmer Park, we’re hosting a Tree Health Workshop featuring a guided walk with an arborist from Bartlett Tree Company. Guests can learn fun facts about trees, spot signs of disease, and discover best practices for tree care. Park managers will also participate in a workshop led by Sav-a-Tree, covering topics such as proper pruning techniques, preventing oak wilt, and understanding the impacts of beech bark and leaf disease.

If you’re eager to get even more involved, our stewardship calendar is packed with opportunities—tree canopy mapping, river cleanups, biodiversity hikes, and more. Whether you’re passionate about trees, invasive species control, or exploring nature after dark, there’s something for everyone this season. You can email us your interest, or register for any of our upcoming volunteer stewardship events:

• Tree of Heaven Hack-a-thon – Millennium Park – Saturday, Aug. 30
• Thornapple Riverbend Stewardship Day – Wednesday, Sept. 3
• Tree Detectives: Mapping Our Park Canopy – Palmer Park – Thursday, Sept. 4
• Grand River Cleanup – Johnson & Millennium Parks – Saturday, Sept. 6
• Tree of Heaven Hack-a-thon – Millennium Park – Wednesday, Sept.10
• Invasive Species Workday – Creekside Park – Thursday, Sept. 11
• Monarch Day – John Ball Zoo – Saturday, Sept.13
• Tree Health & Canopy Walk – Palmer Park – Thursday, Sept. 18
• Dwight Lydell Native Planting Day – Saturday, Sept. 20
• Townsend Park 100-Year Celebration Stewardship Day – Tuesday, Sept. 30
• Townsend Park Native Planting Day – Saturday, Oct. 4

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

On Saturday, Sept.13, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., we’ll be celebrating one of Michigan’s most iconic pollinators—the monarch—at Monarch Day at John Ball Zoo! Visitors can stop by our table throughout the day to enjoy hands-on activities, educational games, and free resources designed to inspire all ages to care for pollinators and native habitats.

Guests will find a variety of interactive activities, including:

• “Invasive or Native?” Sorting Game – Test your knowledge by spotting the difference between native plants and invasive look-alikes. One of the trickiest is the aggressive black swallow-wort, a poisonous vine often mistaken for common milkweed but deadly to monarch caterpillars.
• Bug ID Station – Explore butterfly life cycles and learn how to identify pollinators and pests.
• Color-Your-Pollinator Station – Enjoy coloring sheets featuring Michigan butterflies, pollinators, and invasive species.
• Craft Corner – Create a butterfly-themed wood chip craft using stamps and markers.
• Take-Home Resources – Pick up free guides on butterflies, pollinators, invasive species, and maps of Kent County Parks.

Visitors will also learn about the importance of milkweed, the only plant monarchs can survive on. Michigan has several native species, and we’ll help you tell them apart—from the brilliant orange blooms of butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) at Johnson Park, to the rose milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) that thrives in the wetlands of Townsend Park. We’ll also share how to spot black swallow-wort (Cynanchum louiseae), an invasive look-alike that poisons monarch caterpillars. Knowing your milkweeds is a simple but powerful way to protect the plants monarchs depend on.

Pollinators like monarchs are essential to healthy ecosystems, yet they face ongoing threats from habitat loss and invasive species. By taking part in Monarch Day, we hope to highlight small but meaningful actions everyone can take—whether it’s planting native species in your yard, protecting pollinator-friendly spaces in your neighborhood, or supporting conservation efforts in local parks.

We’re more than halfway through our 2025 Nature Neighbors season, and what a season it has been! In partnership with Blandford Nature Center, we’ve been offering low-cost, nature-based programs for all ages in parks across the county. There’s still plenty of time to join in—programs continue every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday through September.

Here’s a peek at what’s coming up next month:

• Discovering Owls (ages 5–12): Where do owls live? What do they eat? Bring your curiosity (and your little ones) as we explore the fascinating world of owls. Kids can even take part in an optional, hands-on owl pellet dissection.
• Introduction to Birding (adults): New to birdwatching? Take a relaxed hike with us as we share tips, resources, and provide binoculars for you to try.
• Nature Crafts (ages 2–6): From clay creations to watercolor painting, these outdoor-inspired crafts are the perfect way for little ones to connect with nature.

These programs are more than just fun activities—they’re also helping neighbors discover new parks and connect with the natural world around them. “It’s been a joy seeing community members engage with the parks in ways they might not have before—observing, listening, and connecting with the outdoor world in beautiful and joyful ways,” says Izzy, Off-site Programs Manager at Blandford.

For dates, times, and registration details, please visit the Nature Neighbors website and plan your next adventure with us!

Kaufman Golf Course, located in Wyoming, hosted its 60th Annual Kent County Amateur Championship this July.

A strong field of 160 amateur golfers from across the region competed in this year’s event. Emerging from the pack was Will Preston, a standout from Penn State University, who captured the title with a steady and commanding performance. Preston posted rounds of 67, 71, and 69 for a 54-hole total of 207, finishing nine under par and securing a decisive six-shot victory over runner-up Jeffrey Andus.

The Kent County Amateur has grown significantly since its inception in 1966, evolving from a local competition into a prestigious regional event. The tournament continues to honor its rich history, with Art Burr Jr., the inaugural champion, returning each year to share stories and engage with participants and organizers. Notably, in 2015, during the tournament's 50th anniversary, Art Burr Jr. performed a ceremonial first tee shot to commence the event.

Kaufman Golf Course, the tournament’s long-standing venue, has been a staple of West Michigan golf since its opening in 1965. Designed to test players of all skill levels, Kaufman features tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and fast, undulating greens that demand precision and patience. Beyond its challenging layout, the course is also known for its natural beauty, winding through rolling terrain and wooded landscapes that showcase the area’s scenic charm. This blend of accessibility, rich history, and challenging design makes it the perfect stage for tournaments like the Kent County Amateur Championship.

For more details on future events, or just some scenic views from the green, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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 information, or anything else you may need to tell a great story about our parks:

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

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