Public transit now connects downtown Grand Rapids to Millennium Park

May 23

Photo courtesy of Kent County Parks Department

Millennium Park’s beach and splashpad is now open, giving residents a head start on summer and a new way to reach the park: public transit. For the first time in 20 years, weekend visitors can ride The Rapid directly from downtown Grand Rapids to Millennium Park's waterfront, marking a major milestone in connecting urban neighborhoods to natural greenspace.

“Bringing transit to Millennium Park has been a goal for years,” said Deb Prato, CEO, The Rapid. “This expansion means that riders across the region will be able to take advantage of all the amenities the park has to offer, without needing a car. We’re proud to provide more options for people to enjoy one of Kent County’s premier recreational spaces.”

Running Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Route 1000 connects The Rapid’s Central Station at 250 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW to the VanAndel Beach House, located inside Millennium Park at 1415 Maynard Ave. SW in Walker. With about 30 stops along the way and bike racks on every bus, the new route makes the park more accessible than ever, by foot, bus, or bike.

"Reliable transportation shouldn't be a barrier to enjoying nature," said Ben Swayze, Director, Kent County Parks Department. "This new route helps open up all of Millennium Park, from the beach to the trails, and to more people, more often."

One of the largest urban parks in the country, Millennium Park spans 1,400 acres of natural space with more than 18 miles of paved and unpaved trails. The beach opens up to a 100-acre lake with a marked swimming area, and the zero-depth splashpad features more than a dozen sprayers and buckets for all ages to enjoy.

For more information, visit https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1765/Millennium-Park.

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