Millennium Park and Beach

06/06/2026

🏖️ ☀️ 🏖️ ☀️ 🏖️ ☀️ 🏖️

05/28/2026

Thanks for the write up, FOX 17! And happy summer, everyone! 😎

One of the largest urban parks in America, Millennium Park in Kent County offers nearly 18 miles of trails, a beach, splash pad, boat rentals, and more. Read the full story through the link in the comments.

05/22/2026

The wait is over — we’re officially open for the 2026 summer season!!! 🌊☀️

➡️ Beach 10 am to 8 pm
➡️ Splashpad 10 am to 7 pm
➡️ Boating 10 am to 6 pm (last rental at 5)

Purchase passes in person or online at 🔗 kentcountymi.gov/millennium

And yes, we’re open for Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

05/19/2026

04/23/2026

We’re officially less than a month away from opening day at the beach and boathouse! 🥳

Don’t forget to buy those season passes! We’ll add a link 🔗 to learn more in the comments.

04/19/2026

04/14/2026

🌊 FLOODING UPDATE: APRIL 17 🌊

Much of the North Kent Trail along the river to Vet's Memorial is under water again and expected to worsen with more rain on the way late Friday night into Saturday.

Many of our other trails, including the Riverbend and Hansen Nature Trails, are still very wet and messy. Our Lake Leota Loop looks okay, for now, but that will likely change with river rises over the weekend.

‼️ Please be cautious navigating our trails and roadways to access our parks. Our team continues to put up as many signs as possible!

04/08/2026

⚠️ FLOODING CLOSES TRAILS ⚠️

Many of our paved and natural trails are under water following flooding from the Grand River cresting on Wednesday, April 8.

Please be safe as you navigate our park and avoid flooded trails and roadways. We put as many signs up as we could to help!

Here’s what the US National Weather Service Grand Rapids Michigan is saying:

“The crest on the Grand River is near Comstock Park (Wednesday) as it slowly moves downstream. Locations upstream will continue to slowly fall through Friday. Locations downstream from Comstock Park on the Grand River will see the river continue to slowly rise.

Rain amounts today (Thursday) are expected to be light and should not affect river levels or cause flooding in low-lying areas.

More significant rain is expected Thursday night into Friday, with over half an inch forecast for much of the Grand and Kalamazoo River basins. This could lead to minor rises on those rivers—or more likely, their tributaries—through the weekend.

Don`t ever drive onto a flooded roadway, because the road may have washed out beneath the flood waters.”

04/01/2026

🚨 Millennium Beach Update 🚨

New this season, all traditional sand has been replaced with ✨glitter✨, giving your beach strolls a little extra sparkle.

Imagine footprints that shimmer in the sun and sandcastles that sparkle like jewels. From the shoreline to the water’s edge, every step is now fabulous!

Okay…so we’re not actually replacing the sand…but wouldn’t that be magical?

Beach officially opens Friday, May 22! 🏖️☀️

02/14/2026

💚 A Love Story Rooted in Stewardship 💚

Meet Lori and Grant, two incredible park stewards who quietly (and consistently!) help keep Millennium and Townsend Parks clean, one hike at a time.

Their journey with Kent County Parks began after rescuing their German Shepherd, Wally. While enjoying regular walks together, they realized something simple and powerful: if they were already out on the trails, they could also help take care of them—so they started carrying a trash bag and grabber.

And then there’s the love story…

On a chilly October day in 2022, just after crossing the big bridge on the Secchia side of the park, Grant dropped to one knee and proposed, with Wally by their side. 💍🐾 Wally passed away just two months later, making those memories (walking the park, caring for the land, and sharing that “yes” moment) even more meaningful.

Since 2022, Lori and Grant have contributed over ✨ 600 volunteer hours ✨ simply because they care. Their story reminds us that stewardship doesn’t always look like a big event. Sometimes it’s just showing up, together, again and again.

Thank you, Lori and Grant, for loving our parks and each other so well. 💕🌳