Heat Wave Prompts Kent County’s Millennium Park Beach to Open Early for Season

It's not *quite* as toasty this week as it was last week, but still, it'll be nice to have a place to go to cool down!

Get our free mobile app

Grand Rapids Area Millennium Park Opens Early for 2022 Season

As temperatures recently hit 90 in West Michigan, Millennium Park and Beach  announced it would be opening early for the 2022 season. Millennium Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S., with portions in Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, and Wyoming

The Kent County park announced they're planning to have the beach and boat rental open starting this Friday, May 20 at 10a.m.

Technically, their season starts Memorial Weekend, but they say, "We are working hard on hiring and training new staff, getting the buildings, boats and beach up to par a little early for you."

Once open for the season, hours for the beach at Millennium Park are 10a.m. to 8p.m. and for the splashpad 10a.m. to 7p.m. through mid-summer. Late summer hours are 10a.m. to 7p.m. for the beach, and 10a.m. to 6p.m. for the beach.

Facilities include the Van Andel Beach House, which has a concession stand with food and frozen treats, plus locker and changing rooms, restrooms and picnic tables on the plaza.

How Much Does it Cost to Go to Millennium Park?

To hike the trails, ride bikes, play basketball, visit the playgrounds, and just hang out in nature at Millennium Park there is no charge.

There is a daily admission fee to enter the beach and splashpad area.

Cost is $4 for adults 16-62, $3 for seniors 63 and older, $2 for kids 3-5, and free for kids 2 and under.

There are season passes available too, ranging in price from $20 to $70 for a family plus additional guests.

Here's how much it costs to rent a boat at Millennium Park:

• Tandem Kayaks & Stand-Up Paddleboards - $10 for first hour, $8 each additional hour
• Single Kayaks, Canoes & Row Boats - $8 for first hour, $6 each additional hour
• Paddleboats -$6 for first half-hour, $4 each additional half-hour

Season pass holders get $2 off boat and paddleboard rental.

Discover! At Millennium Park is Saturday, May 21

There's also a special, free event going on at Millennium Park this Saturday!

You can "Discover! Millennium Park" on Saturday, May 21st from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Explore Millennium Park’s Hansen Trails with nature stations, presentations, and giveaways.

 The event is sponsored by the Kent County Parks and Kent County Parks Foundation. Organizers say guests will learn about:

• The birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians than make the Hansen Nature Trail area their home
• The trees, plants, and wildflowers along the trail
• Unique habitats in the park
• The history, lore, and geology of the area

Find out more here.