Best Parks for Kids – Grand Rapids
There are literally hundreds of parks in West Michigan full of great hiking trails and playgrounds. The parks on this list, however, really stand out from the rest. Continue reading to get acquainted with some of the especially cool places to play and hang out with the kids.
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Pin Best Parks for Kids Grand Rapids:
John Ball Park
We all know the zoo is an amazing place to spend the day with the kids. But, did you know there are 4 playgrounds surrounding the zoo? One of the playgrounds is universally accessible. Valley View has a huge structure, shaded, picnic tables, and a beautiful pond. Picnic Acre is south of the park, it is a nice and secluded spot with a woodchip-surface. You’ll find slides, swings, climbing structures, and lots of picnic tables. Hilltop Park also called The Hidden Playground can be found on the park’s south side of Butterworth Ave. You will find play structures, pretty views, and a stone pavilion. The all-accessible playground with an amazing climbing structure that has a giant slide attached is located on the southeast side of the park.
1300 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids, MI
Millenium Park
This park is one of the nation’s largest urban parks with parts in Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, and Wyoming. Among the 1,400 acres of rolling terrain and six miles of frontage on the Grand River, you will find Kids’ City! It is a beautiful play area with three large separate play structures all in one place. You’ll also find swing sets, small shaded structures for toddlers, and open picnic shelters. Millennium Park also offers a unique climbing structure and play area for kids in the beach area. Just a few more things that make this Park special include a six-acre beach and splash pad, boat rental facilities, and nearly 18 miles of trails, this is the spot for relaxation and recreation.
1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI
Roselle Park
This playground doesn’t have swings or slides, but hear me out. There is a super amazing rock wall that will make you totally forget about the typical play structures. There is also a giant spiderweb-like silo structure to climb on. If you climb all the way to the top, you will find some amazing views! If you are looking for a nice place to walk with the kids and dogs, the paved pathways are ready for your adventure!
1010 Grand River Drive NE Ada MI
Manhattan Park and Playground
Manhattan Park offers 40 acres of family fun! This park provides a kid’s playground, picnic areas, and volleyball courts (that make really great sandboxes). On the playground kids will have fun climbing structures and swinging. There is also a sledding hill and 1.4 miles of natural trails to explore.
311 Cascade Rd. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI
Cascade Township Park and Playground
Cascade park has so much to offer to kids of all ages! You can easily spend all day here playing on the unique playground. Children will love playing on the saucer swing, climbing on the net structure, and digging in the sandbox. Cascade Township Park is stroller friendly, great for toddlers, and offers accessible play equipment.
2865 Thornhills Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI
Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and Playground
The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden at Fredrick Meijer Gardens invites children to play, learn and explore. This interactive playground encourages children to use all their senses by smelling and touching specific plants designed for interaction. Children will love discovering leaves that feel like lambs’ ears, launching a boat in the Great Lakes, and digging for buried fossils in the Rock Quarry. The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden is filled with amazing activities to help spark curiosity and wonder! There is a treehouse, log cabin, and butterfly maze.
1000 E Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI
Ottawa Hills Park and Playground
In October 2018, the city reopened this park as Grand Rapids’ first accessible playground. Ottawa Hills Park offers a universally accessible playground perfect for toddlers and older kids. The playground is filled with a bunch of climbing, musical, and spinning structures. What really makes this park stand out is the giant slides. Whether you want to enjoy lunch in the picnic area or play some tennis and basketball this is a great park!
2060 Oakfield Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI
Versluis Park and Playground
Versluis Park was created on the shore of a 50-acre man-made lake and was designed to offer a fully accessible recreational experience! Versluis Park and Playground offer two different accessible playgrounds. You will also find a swimming area, beach ramp, kayak & canoe launch, covered picnic areas, horseshoes & volleyball, a fishing pier, and one-mile paved walking trail. The sandy beach is the perfect spot to hang out on summer days.
3650 Versluis Park NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49252
Huff Park & Playground
Huff Park really has it all! The playground offers inviting and unique climbing structures. There is also a beautiful walking trail that is full of wildlife. In this neighborhood park, you will also find a natural area, a picnic shelter, grills, and cross-country skiing.
2399 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Campau Park & Playground
Campau Park is most popularly known for its awesome splash pads during the warm season. The kid’s playground is full of a variety of bright and colorful play structures of all kinds! There is also a perfect spot for picnics, basketball courts, bridges, and swings.
50 Antoine SW, Grand Rapids, MI
Cherry Park
Cherry park is the sweetest little urban gem. This community park is quaint with two different playground areas and picnic tables. In the summer there is a water playground to cool down. This is a great spot to sit and relax on the grass while the children play.
725 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI
Kroc Center & Playground
Kroc Centers’ outdoor playground is a stroller and dog-friendly park. What really sets this place apart from the others is the cool dinosaur fossil sand play area. There are also other fun structures for climbing. The playground has a large structure with a big slide, lots of swings, and spinning structures. There are also community garden plots available for rent if you have been wanting to start a garden. Paved paths, picnic tables, and a pond really make this amazing spot complete.
2500 S Division Ave, Grand Rapids, MI
Riverside Park & Playground
Riverside park offers some of the nicest views of all the parks. This is such a lovely place to appreciate the beautiful river and have fun! There are so many things happening at this park. You will find disc golf, fishing, a kayak launch, a playground with pavillions, grills, fields, walking, and biking trails. A paved path follows the Grand River offering a peaceful 1-mile loop including a cool iron bridge. As an extra bonus to this dreamy place, there is also wifi so you can get some work done while the kids play on the swings.
2001 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI
Calder Plaza
Have you seen the giant “tire swing” at Calder Plaza? This unique play structure sparks wonder in playing children. Mark Di Suvero was the mastermind behind the humungous steel sculpture and rubber tire. It was built in 1977 and given the name Motu Viget. The name comes from the city motto of Grand Rapids “strength through activity”. The massive rubber tire is suspended from a large steel form. You can find it waiting to be climbed on at the Northwest corner of Calder Plaza. It is located at the NW corner of Calder Plaza. This space is also home to the “La Grand Vitesse”, the Alexander Calder Stabilie which symbolizes the beautiful city of Grand Rapids. Calder Plaza is a great park because of its grassy lawn, perfect spot to run, covered seating for a snack, and seasonal food trucks!
300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI
Briggs Park and Playground
This is the spot to be in the summertime. With a huge pool, a diving board, and a massive waterslide you can see how this park made the list. There is also a splash pad, accessible lift, poolside concession stand, and picnic areas, it would be easy to spend all day here. Briggs Park and Playground also provide two fun play structures, swings, and basketball courts.
350 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI
(H17) Discovering new places to play and hang out is a great way to explore West Michigan. Should I also mention the endless health benefits of getting outside and breathing in some fresh air? Some of the best parks are tucked away in the corners of neighborhoods, while others have made a home right in the middle of downtown. West Michigan is full of amazing and diverse parks and playgrounds.
Pin Best Parks for Kids Grand Rapids:
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Jasmine Jelsema
Jasmine Jelsema is a writer, artist, and healer whose passion is to nourish spirits, enrich souls and inspire minds. After living in Washington State for 10 years, she has returned to her roots in West Michigan to create and share positive light. It is her hope to inspire you to find the magic in everyday.
