Millennium Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Millennium Park is the largest urban park in West Michigan, located on the southwest side of Grand Rapids. Millennium Park connects four of the major cities in the area together, including Grand Rapids, Wyoming
, Grandville
, and Walker
. When completed, the park will be twice as large as New York City's Central Park
, at approximately 1,500 acres (6 km²).
The project began in 1998 when the Parks Department director Roger Sabine began planning for an expansion of Johnson Park. Sabine expanded the Johnson Park expansion into the 1,500 acre (6 km²) park project. The project was finally submitted to the Secchia Millennium Commission (SMC) later that year and later approved the project by which the Kent County Board of Commissioners named the park Millennium Park. The park celebrated its grand opening in July 2004.
The park is built on the former location of gypsum mines and gravel pits, including the former location of the Domtar mine
.
Health Department confirmed that norovirus was the causative agent.
Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
, Grandville
Grandville, Michigan
Grandville is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 16,263 at the 2000 census. Grandville is one of the oldest suburbs of Grand Rapids, and was incorporated as a city in 1933....
, and Walker
Walker, Michigan
Walker is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan and a suburb of Grand Rapids. The population was 23,537 at the 2010 census. Before incorporating as a city, it was known as Walker Township...
. When completed, the park will be twice as large as New York City's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
, at approximately 1,500 acres (6 km²).
The project began in 1998 when the Parks Department director Roger Sabine began planning for an expansion of Johnson Park. Sabine expanded the Johnson Park expansion into the 1,500 acre (6 km²) park project. The project was finally submitted to the Secchia Millennium Commission (SMC) later that year and later approved the project by which the Kent County Board of Commissioners named the park Millennium Park. The park celebrated its grand opening in July 2004.
The park is built on the former location of gypsum mines and gravel pits, including the former location of the Domtar mine
Domtar mine
The Domtar Mine, formed from the consolidation of Grand Rapids Gypsum Company mines 1 & 2, is an underground mine in Grand Rapids, Michigan.-History:...
.
Park features
- Beach and splashpad
- Boardwalk
- Boating center
- Fishing dock
- Picnic shelters
- Trails
Norovirus outbreak
In July 2010, more than 120 visitors contracted norovirus. An epidemiologist stated that there were "reports of stomach illness, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, from people who were swimming [at the park]." Tests by the Kent CountyKent County, Michigan
-Air Service:*Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport . Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926,...
Health Department confirmed that norovirus was the causative agent.