By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
A final piece to the City of Wyoming’s Frog Hollow park was completed this month when a short path connector from the park to the Fred Meijer M-6 trail was installed.
“Actually it was part of the vision when the M-6 trail was under construction that Frog Hollow would serve as a way station to those using the trail,” said the City of Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt, whose responsibilities includes overseeing the parks. “People who were biking would be able to use the restrooms or families could take a break along the trail and enjoy the park.”
The trail is located west of the park, between the tree-and-bush barrier and the Metro Health facility’s driveway at 1980 Metro Court Way.
The project was delayed in that the city needed to get an easement from the property located behind the park at 1980 Metro Court SW. The building was occupied by ITT Technical Institute which closed in 2016 when the for-profit school discontinued operations. Metro Health eventually moved into the location.
The project cost about $87,201 to complete the .1 mile connector. About $62,601 was funded with Federal TAP funds from the Grand Valley Metro Council with the City of Wyoming contributing $26,160.
“Before the connector, we really did not have a direct way for people to walk or bike to the park,” Rynbrandt said, noting most had to use the roads through the Metro Village to get to the park located at 2050 Metro Court. SW.
The connector also will allow access to the Spartan Branch YMCA, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, Veterans Center, Gezon Parkway and Gezon Park baseball fields through pathways located along Metro Court and Metro Way. Rynbrandt said she is working with Kent County for signage.
Constructed in 2005, Frog Hollow was designed to be universally accessible providing ramps to access higher levels among other features. The park does have a black rail fence all the way around with only one entrance and exit, which is where the restrooms are located. For more about the City of Wyoming Parks, click here.
The Fred Meijer M-6 trail runs 9 miles parallel to the M-6/Paul Henry Freeway. The trail starts at Wing Avenue and 60th Street where the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail starts and ends at the Kent Trails at the M-6 overpass located between Byron Center and Ivanrest avenues.
