Sports & Competition
Thu, November 13, 2025
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Grand Park Sports Campus Receives New Name and Fresh Vision for Community Play
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Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 8:42 GMT by WISH-TV- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Grand Park Sports Campus Receives a New Name and a Fresh Vision for Community Play
A long‑time community fixture in Grand Rapids is getting a facelift—literally and figuratively. The sprawling outdoor sports complex formerly known simply as the Grand Park Sports Campus has been renamed “Grand Park Sports Campus – Grand Rapids” as part of a city‑wide effort to modernize the venue, acknowledge its historic roots, and lay the groundwork for expanded programming and new revenue streams. The change, announced in a press release last week, comes after a comprehensive review by the Grand Rapids Department of Parks and Recreation and an extensive public consultation process.
The Genesis of a Renaming
The campus, which opened in the early 1990s, has served as the primary site for high‑school baseball, softball, soccer, track and field, and community recreation for more than two decades. While its facilities are widely used, the name had always felt generic—something the city officials felt no longer reflected the quality of the venue or the pride of the residents who rely on it.
“We’ve had a fantastic facility for years, but the name didn’t do it justice,” said Mayor Maria Ortiz during a virtual town hall. “Grand Park Sports Campus is a cornerstone of our community. Renaming it to highlight its ties to Grand Rapids is both a celebration of what it’s accomplished and a signal that we’re moving forward.”
In addition to the official re‑branding, the city has committed to a series of upgrades. According to the department’s strategic plan, which was made available on the city’s website (link embedded in the original article), improvements will include new turf for the soccer fields, upgraded lighting for evening play, a state‑of‑the‑art scoreboard in the main baseball diamond, and an expansion of the existing pavilion to host community events and indoor sports during inclement weather.
A New Look, A New Name
The official name now takes the form “Grand Park Sports Campus – Grand Rapids.” The “Grand Rapids” addition is intended to anchor the complex to the city’s identity, and to differentiate it from other similarly named venues in the region. The change is expected to be reflected on signage, marketing materials, and the campus’s digital footprint by the end of the summer.
The renaming will also pave the way for a partnership with the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), which has expressed interest in hosting its sports clinics and intramural leagues on the campus. “This is an exciting development,” said GRCC President David Hall. “It means we can provide our students with world‑class athletic facilities and, in return, bring fresh programming to the community.”
Facilities and Features
The campus is a massive 100‑acre parcel in the north‑western corner of the city, comprising:
- 15 baseball fields – 12 regulation‑size fields for high‑school teams and leagues, with the main field equipped with a retractable LED scoreboard, dugouts, and a 200‑meter track surrounding the field for warm‑ups and conditioning.
- 6 soccer fields – Two of which are fully lighted for night play, and four that can be converted to rugby or field hockey with minimal modifications.
- 8 softball fields – Designed to accommodate both girls’ and boys’ leagues.
- 4 tennis courts – Clay and hard courts that host the Grand Rapids Junior Tennis Championships.
- Outdoor fitness stations – Multiple “body‑weight” stations that allow for community fitness classes and individual training.
- Pavilion and clubhouses – Two main clubhouses that serve as locker rooms, meeting spaces, and a small indoor gym.
The campus also hosts a summer “Grand Rapids Sports Camp” for youth aged 6–18, featuring instruction from local high‑school coaches, fitness specialists, and former collegiate athletes. In addition to the sports programming, the complex is used for community festivals, charity runs, and high‑school graduation ceremonies.
Funding and Community Involvement
The renaming and the proposed upgrades will be funded by a mix of city bonds, a 15‑year municipal lease with the county, and a private donation from a local philanthropist, Ms. Evelyn Hart, who was honored by the city’s Parks & Recreation board for her long‑time support of youth sports. The city’s budget, released as part of the mayor’s 2025 fiscal plan, earmarks $4.5 million for the campus’s renovation and re‑branding.
The city’s Parks & Recreation director, Kevin Malone, emphasized the importance of community input: “We held five public forums, one of which was a livestreamed Q&A with residents who wanted to ensure the upgrades served their needs. We’re proud that the community helped shape what the campus will look like for the next decade.”
The Impact on Residents
Residents across the city have already begun to feel the buzz. A local high‑school baseball coach, Coach Mark Lee of Grand Rapids High, expressed enthusiasm: “With the new scoreboard and lighting, we can host evening games, and our players will feel the same energy as a college stadium. The upgrade will also attract higher‑level tournaments, which in turn brings business to local restaurants and hotels.”
The community is also hoping for an uptick in local tourism, especially during the summer months when the campus hosts the Michigan High School Softball Championship. With improved amenities, the city aims to double its attendance for the tournament by 2028.
Looking Ahead
The renaming of Grand Park Sports Campus is just the first step in a long‑term vision for the city’s recreational infrastructure. The next phase, slated to begin in early 2026, will explore the addition of a multi‑sport indoor arena and a fitness center that will serve both community members and students from local schools and GRCC.
In summary, the Grand Park Sports Campus – Grand Rapids rebranding represents a milestone in the city’s commitment to quality recreation, community engagement, and economic development. While the name has changed, the spirit of the venue remains the same: a place where residents of all ages can play, compete, and come together under the bright Michigan sky.
Read the Full WISH-TV Article at:
[ https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/grand-park-sports-campus-renamed/ ]
