GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A park millage on the November ballot asks for $4 million to be dedicated to the Grand Rapids park system annually.
“Currently, the City’s parks system is not sustainable,” a release from the City of Grand Rapids reads.
Grand Rapids parks currently compete with tax revenue for police, fire and other municipal services. According to the release, funding for parks has been reduced more than any other service during cutbacks.
The city estimates that the millage would cost $44 a year for the average homeowner (the average home market value they used was $89,000).
Between 45 and 55 percent of that money will be used to repair current park equipment and facilities, 25 to 35 would be used to purchase new equipment and the remaining money would go toward keeping city pools open longer during swimming season.
