GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids city and community leaders will cut the ribbon Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at Unity Park, the new $2.23 million neighborhood park at 680 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue SW in the Roosevelt Park area.
The City of Grand Rapids designed the park with residents to add inclusive play areas, a hammock grove, shaded cafe-style seating, a flexible gathering plaza for vendors, a rain garden, upgraded lighting, bike path connections, and water bottle filling stations.
Speakers planned for the celebration include Mayor David LaGrand, City Manager Mark Washington, Parks and Recreation Director Laura Cleypool, and representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities. Hot chocolate and live music are part of the free open house.
An earlier name vote favored Navarro Plaza before a second public process settled on Unity Park, with city leaders pledging another way to honor Hispanic business pioneers Miguel and Isabel Navarro of El Matador Chip Factory.
Funding draws on the Michigan Enhancement Grant and the Parks Capital Fund with nonprofit partners, continuing the Roosevelt Park neighborhood transformation around Cesar E. Chavez Avenue Southwest.
