Lowell Community History Series: Recreation Park

Recreation Park has long been a destination for activities in Lowell.  The 30 acre site is owned by the City. It has been, and continues to be, a gathering spot for recreational activities and events.

In the 1880s, a public skating rink was one of the attractions which brought people to the park.   An orchestra would play while participants skated. Observers could watch from a balcony overlooking the rink.  

A page out of a project about Recreation and Richard’s Park.

A municipal playground could be found on the grounds in the 1930s, which was home to a “teeter totter sliding board” according to a Lowell sixth grade student during the 1931-1932 school year, who took part in a class project writing about various businesses, parks, and points of interest in the City.  The park also had a ball field, race track, and tennis court at this time. In 1935, the Kent County Youth Fair would begin, bringing the county’s youth to Lowell for a week filled with animals and still exhibit showings.

In 1959, the community raised funds for a pool, which would be located at Recreation Park.  The City entered into an agreement with the YMCA of Grand Rapids to operate its swimming pool.  However, it became too costly for both parties and the pool closed the summer of 1989.

Those looking to take to the water have the option of launching watercraft on the Grand River.  Bluegrass Festivals, Youth Football, Cheer pep rallies,and battles recreating the Middle Ages and Renaissance are a handful of other events which currently take place on the grounds.  

The fair is scheduled to move to a new location in a couple of years, leaving opportunities for the City to redefine the park and how it can meet recreational needs.  In the coming months, the City will begin looking into what the next chapter of what Recreation Park will hold.

What would you like to see happen with Recreation Park in the coming years?

3 Comments

  1. RV park. With overnight lots, weekly and seasonal. Water, sewer and electric nearby. Maybe we recover some our snowbirds who are flying elsewhere on the summer.

  2. A dirtbike track! The closest public ones to the GR area is in Stanton & Martin. Both these places are always packed and it’s also an oppurtunity to get food trucks or local craftsmen selling items here! It would bring in a lot of revenue for the city and provide a handful of jobs to maintain the track. There’s tons of other options to combine with this idea. For example, a certain half would be for the dirtbike track and another area could be a skating rink or what have you.

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