Millennium Park (Grand Rapids) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Millennium Park |
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The beach at Millennium Park
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Area | 1,500-acre (6.1 km2) |
Millennium Park is the biggest park in West Michigan. You can find it on the southwest side of Grand Rapids. This huge park connects four main cities in the area: Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Grandville, and Walker.
When it's fully finished, Millennium Park will be about 1,500 acres. That's twice as big as New York City's famous Central Park!
The idea for this amazing park started in 1998. Roger Sabine, who worked for the Parks Department, began planning to make Johnson Park even bigger. His plans grew into the huge 1,500-acre park project we know today. The project was approved by the Secchia Millennium Commission, and the Kent County Board of Commissioners named it Millennium Park. The park officially opened its doors in July 2004.
This park is built on land that used to be gypsum mines and gravel pits. One of these was the old Domtar mine.
Fun Things to Do at Millennium Park
Millennium Park has lots of cool features for everyone to enjoy. It's a great place to spend time outdoors!
- Beach and splashpad
- Boardwalk
- Boating center
- Fishing dock
- Picnic shelters
- Trails
Go Fishing at the Park
Millennium Park offers a special fishing experience right in the city. It's super close to downtown Grand Rapids, so it's easy to get to. Fishermen can find many great spots to cast their lines. There are also free parking lots available, even in the off-season.
The lakes in the park are home to different kinds of fish. You might catch panfish, both large and smallmouth bass, and sometimes even a northern pike. In the summer, you can rent boats to help you reach the best fishing spots. Early spring is a great time for anglers to find largemouth bass, as there aren't many visitors then.
Remember, it's important to have the right fishing license. The DNR (Department of Natural Resources) sometimes checks to make sure everyone has one. Also, for everyone's safety, please keep a safe distance from the swans and geese that live in the park.
