With over 2,000 acres of parklands located throughout the City, the Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department welcomes you to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities in our community. A variety of Park sites host public outdoor art, sculptures, and historical monuments.
Please join us in building a better Grand Rapids! The City of Grand Rapids celebrates the rich traditions and spirit of our people. We are proud to be a part of making Grand Rapids a great place and a better community for all.
Please feel free to contact our Administrative Offices at (616) 456-3696 or visit us at 201 Market Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dog Park
The City's only dog park is located at Hillcrest Park which is located at the intersection of Lyon and Benjamin. It's also the upper portion of Fuller Park. Parking is available at Hillcrest as well as plenty of street parking, or you can park your car at Fuller Park and walk to Hillcrest. Click here for more information regarding the Dog Park.
Give A Tree Program
Citizens are invited to beautify the parks and streetscapes of the the City of Grand Rapids through the "Give A Tree Program." A $50 donation will plant over 300 daffodil bulbs or a 1 1/2" - 2" diameter tree. A tree can be donated in honor of a friend or a loved one and will be planted in the spring. Please call (616) 456-3696 for more information.
Seasonal Facilities
Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink
The Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink is located in the heart of downtown. The Ice Rink is West Michigan's first refrigerated outdoor skating rink. Skaters have the opportunity to skate under the stars and on top of the stars and to soak in the ambiance given by Ecliptic - the notable artwork designed by artist/architect Maya Lin. The Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink is a very cool place to visit. See dates and hours of operation.
Fulton Street Farmer's Market
The Fulton Street Farmer's Market is an outdoor market that has provided local produce to the City of Grand Rapids for over eighty years. The Farmer's Market is typically open from spring to early winter. See information regarding the Fulton Street Farmer's Market.
The Benefits Are Endless...
children smiling and giggling
dropping in a boat on the Grand River
boys and girls dashing after the ball
gliding in figure eights on the ice
a perfect putt at the golf course
trillium blooming in the spring
enjoying outdoor sculptures
quiet moments on a shaded bench
the sweet smell of freshly cut grass
planting flowers for loved ones remembered
clear blue skies on a summer day
...endless benefits for the entire family ...And we can prove it!
- Families that recreate together report greater stability and satisfaction
- The fondest memories people have involve family outings and vacations
- Socially involved people are 2 to 5 times less likely to suffer from heart disease
- Every mile walked adds an average of 21 minutes to a person's life
- 66,000 deaths annually could be prevented through regular physical exercise
- Regular volunteer work increases life expectancy more than any other activity
- Girls who participate in sports help increase bone density to combat osteoporosis in later life
- Juvenile crime dropped 24% during the first 13 weeks of one city's late-night recreation program
- It costs 100 times more to send a teen to jail than to provide preventive recreation programs
- Investments in waterfronts and open spaces attract new business
- Visits to national, regional and local parks exceed 1 billion annually
- Americans spend over 500 million days per year fishing