Grand Rapids’ Briggs Park getting hammock ‘grove,’ butterfly garden

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A butterfly garden, hammock “grove” and picnic area are coming to Grand Rapids’ Briggs Park.

The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department credits the Creston Neighborhood Association, Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts and local artist Craig Rhyan for reimagining the space off Knapp Street NE between Lafayette and Oakwood Avenues.

The plans include a public art installation called Connections. The colorfully painted wood structures will also serve as hammock posts and spots for caterpillars to build their chrysalides.

At the heart of the gathering space will be native plants that support pollinators, planted by a group of volunteers.

VIRIDIS Design Group and Katerberg VerHage Inc. are teaming up with the city for the project, which is funded through a parks millage approved by Grand Rapids voters in 2013. The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department expects the new features to be complete by this summer.

The Briggs Park upgrades are part of a $420,000 project that started years ago. The park reopened in 2019 with updated playgrounds, accessible pathways and a picnic shelter.