THORNAPPLE RIVERBEND PARK
Project: Thornapple Riverbend Park
Agency: Kent County Parks, Michigan
Funding Source: County General fund
Scope of Work
The scope of this project was to evaluate the property, assemble a program, and produce a masterplan for the development of this county park property. Located in Alaska, Michigan, this 82 acre property that sits on along the Thornapple River is a prime example of forward thinking. Approximately 75% of this property was being leased out to a local farmer till the county was able to develop this property into a regional destination. After assessing the needs of the community and the desires from the neighborhood, the park was designed to balance public recreation and natural space restoration. Approximately 40% of the park would be utilized for active use and the remaining area would be restored to a more natural condition, replicating natural floodplain, upland forest, and prairie. This would restore the necessary riparian areas along the shoreline and provide needed natural space for local wildlife.
The program elements that were included in the mater plan were 2 baseball fields, 12 multi-use turf fields, playground, 6 picnic shelters, fishing pond with fishing dock, multi-use trail, nature trail, canoe launch picnic areas, and maintenance facility.
Unique Circumstances
This property serves as a location where stormwater runoff from neighboring land funnels through this property prior to the outfall in the Thornapple River. It serves as the perfect site to demonstrate best practices for stormwater runoff by allowing appropriate infiltration and detention that, both, create wildlife habitats and public fishing opportunity. The property is 5 miles downstream from another county park that provides a nice distance for canoeing and kayaking livery. Restoring the shoreline and near upland areas as a natural area serves the broader interest of the watershed by enhancing the corridor’s natural state.