WYOMING, Mich. — The re-build project for Ideal Park in Wyoming took six years. But Tuesday, August 18th, the park was reopened to the neighborhood it serves and anyone else who'd like to go.
The park was destroyed in a storm in 2014, where an F1 tornado took down 98% of the tree canopy.
A much different park is open now and was dedicated to the public in a grand-opening ceremony that was largely empty due to COVID-19.
Still, city leaders recognize that now is a time parks are more valued than ever as a place to gather.
“This just goes to show that during devastation, during times when things look bad, Wyoming comes to the forefront, stands up, shakes off the bad issues, and proceeds forward to make this just a wonderful community for our citizens,” Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said.
The park was funded through a grant from the Natural Resources Trust as well as local tax dollars. The project faced several delays due to its proximity to a creek and flood plain.
For neighbors like Brenna Vanreenen, the re-opening of the park means a lot. Thinking about the devastation back in 2014...she says this is amazing to see.
“Now that it is, we walk down there every day and enjoy it and look at it and marvel at it,” Vanreenen said.
