By K.D. Norris
The City of Kentwood announced last week that it had created two advisory committees and an online survey for community members to share input on the development of the city’s Covenant Park and its 109 acres.
The community survey will help “inform” the committees’ planned work, according to the statement. To share input on the park’s future, community members are invited to take the online survey by Friday, June 4. The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and includes questions about Kentwood’s other parks, trails, recreational programming and facilities.
Individuals who want to take the survey in a different language can call the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5270 for assistance.
The two advisory committees are tasked to gather, review and prioritize improvement ideas, concepts and plans for Covenant Park, and then to make recommendations to the City Commission on future development, according to the statement.
“This community engagement process will ultimately determine how the property will align with existing local parks and recreational needs identified in the Parks and Recreation Business Plan, Parks Master Plan and Non-Motorized Trail Plan,” according to the statement.
The two committees have held a joint kickoff meeting and the next meeting will be also held jointly to review the survey data.
One committee is focused on opportunities for passive and active recreation at the park, while the other is exploring the potential to incorporate regional competitive sports on the property as well, according to the city statement.
Formerly known as the Christian Athletic Complex, Covenant Park is located at 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE. The city accepted a donation of the 109-acre parcel in May through a substantial gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation from an anonymous donor.
Covenant Park features open spaces, walking trails, softball fields and a clubhouse.
The committees include broad community representation with more than 20 members on each, including parks and recreation commissioners, city commissioners, planning commissioners, residents and business owners.
The Covenant Park Advisory Committee for Active and Passive Recreation is focused on opportunities for both active and passive recreation on the property. Active recreation refers to structured activities — either for individuals or teams — that require the use of special facilities, courses, fields or equipment. Examples include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and rugby, according to the statement.
Passive recreation refers to activities that do not require prepared facilities such as sports fields or pavilions. Examples include bicycling, cross-country skiing, walking, hiking, picnicking, running and wildlife viewing.
In addition to serving as a public recreational amenity for local residents, the park also has the potential to accommodate a regional competitive sports component, according to the city’s statement. So, the Covenant Park Advisory Committee for Regional Competitive Sports is exploring the feasibility of and community interest in this possibility.
The outcomes of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee’s work in 2019 will also be taken into consideration.
The committees are expected to make a final recommendation to the City Commission later this year. More information and updates about the committees, including a meeting schedule can be found on the City’s website at kentwood.us/CovenantParkPlanning. WKTV will continue to report on the work of the committees.
