Ada Township:  Purchase adds 96 acres to park -- Chief Hazy Cloud Park is

expanding. The Kent County Parks Department finalized a deal last month

with Edith Pettis to purchase 96 acres for the 24-acre park on Pettis Avenue

north of M-21 in Ada. The purchase adds 1,900 feet to the park's 2,900 feet

of Grand River frontage.

A $1.1 million grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund paid for

74 percent of the purchase, and the  parks department is working with the Land

 Conservancy of West Michigan to raise the estimated $280,000 local match

required. Parks director Roger Sabine said corporate and private donors have

pledged about $175,000. The township's Open Space Preservation Advisory

 Board also is considering a donation.

Board members said during a recent meeting that they plan to conduct a

natural features inventory of the property -- required of all potential open-

space purchases -- to determine how much to contribute.

Chief Hazy Cloud Park, named in 1928 for an American Indian chief who was

said to worship hazy clouds, is part of 61 recreational projects and land

acquisitions totaling more than $36 million being funded by the state through

 royalties from the sale and lease of state-owned mineral rights.

Sabine has said the expansion will focus on "low-key" uses, such as relocating

 the parking lot and restrooms and adding walking trails.

Source: The Grand Rapids Press Monday, February 18, 2008 By Morgan Jarema 

This will be a great addition to the Grand Rapids area park system, especially

 for those residents living north of Fulton Ave and the Grand River.  Located

right on the Grand River with scenic views to the village of Ada to the Southwest,

 it should be enjoyed by many for years to come. 

We will let you know how this park progresses.

Roselle Park 240 acre Nature Preserve Ada Michigan

 Ada Township Park

Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Michgan Real Estate

photo by Bonnie Westbrok ~ all rights reserved