Grand Rapids Park Wins Statewide Social Equity Award

A Grand Rapids Park is being recognized for its purposeful, immersive, and inclusive design.

Get our free mobile app

Last year, Roberto Clemente Park in southwest Grand Rapids got $1.5 million in renovations. See all the improvements in the gallery below!

The American Society of Landscape Architects, Michigan Chapter (MiASLA), is honoring The City of Grand Rapids and VIRIDIS Design Group with an Award of Excellence for Social Equity for the Roberto Clemente Park Project.

According to the City of Grand Rapids, the award is the highest honor bestowed in the  (MiASLA) awards program. It's given to projects that go above and beyond, tackling issues of social equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Originally founded in 1911, the park was renamed in 1983 after the passing of Pittsburgh Pirates star outfielder Roberto Clemente.

The improvements at 11.9-acre Roberto Clemente Park include:

• Bilingual educutional signage
• Grand Rapids City Park System's first gender-neutral restroom
• Daylighted stormwater management
• Accessible pathways
• Outdoor discovery area featuring a play area, seating, and an outdoor classroom space
• New accessible path to soccer bleachers and new perimeter fencing at soccer field
• New furnishings including bike racks, benches, picnic tables, domino tables, grills, drinking fountain and trash bins to enhance visitor experience

Most recently, Domino/Chess combo game tables were added.

The Roberto Clemente Park Project was made possible by funded by the voter-approved Parks Millage that was passed in 2013, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, and green infrastructure funding from the City's Environmental Services Department.