By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org
With the Wyoming City Council’s awarding of a $1.3 million bid, area residents will have a new splashpad, playground, and restroom at Jackson Park.
At last night’s regular council meeting, the Wyoming City Council accepted a bid from Katerberg Verhage, Inc. for the development project at Jackson Park, which is located at 1331 33rd St. SW.
Jackson Park is approximately 22 acres. It resides in a densely populated residential area of the City of Wyoming which is primarily made up of single‐family homes. A large green space in the center of the park provides for storm water storage for the neighborhoods.
A key to the development design was resident input, according to city staff. The City Council approved the design on April 20, 2009. Along with the splashpad, playground and restroom, this phase of the project also features the construction of shelter, security lighting, and new parking lot and access road from Robin Avenue.
“We’re excited to bring the ideas of residents to reality. The redevelopment of Jackson Park has been highly anticipated by area residents in this densely populated area of our community,” said Mayor Jack Poll.
“Our initial goal was to begin Jackson Park’s development in 2015, however the economy and mother nature had different plans,” said the City of Wyoming Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. “Project funding was delayed as a result of effects of the foreclosure crisis, and then having to make difficult choices for our park system’s capital and maintenance needs following tornadoes and flooding, required us to prioritize the redevelopment of Ideal Park over Jackson Park. Now, with Ideal Park well under construction, and having obtained funding, we can bring these much sought after improvements to the Jackson Park.”
Funding for the project is being provided through the City’s Capital Projects Revolving Fund, with staff support through the City’s dedicated Parks and Recreation Operational millage.
“We are grateful to our residents for their support as we continue to offer some of the best parks in West Michigan, right in their backyard,” Poll said.
Construction will begin this spring, and the park’s grand opening is planned for the summer of 2021. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to mark their calendars to attend the Ideal Park Grand Opening scheduled for Saturday, June 6.
