GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Kent County leaders will receive more public feedback at a Community Open House later this month on how to improve Indian Mounds Drive.
The four-mile corridor runs adjacent to the Grand River, parallel to the Grand River between Grand Rapids and Grandville. It runs directly along the river's south/west bank across Millennium Park.
Kent County Parks communications manager Christina Anthony told WOOD Radio News in a telephone interview that they received input from more than 2,000 residents in a survey last fall about ways to improve Indian Mounds Drive.
"And we're using that feedback to create a few different scenarios that are going to be on display at an open house happening at the Kent County Parks Department's administrative offices, 1700 Butterworth St. SW," she said.
That will be Monday, April 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
In the survey, citizens prioritized safety, maintenance, ecological restoration and respect for the Grand River Burial Mounds.
Anthony emphasized that the project is only in the study phase right now.
"We want to hear from users of Indian Mounds Drive," she said. "We want to hear them tell us what they want to see, what scenarios they prefer. And, hopefully, we can come together and create a vision for Indian Mounds Drive that serves everybody."
Anthony also mentioned that reducing maintenance needs and costs caused by illegal dumping was one of the things residents mentioned in the community survey last fall. Vandalism and unauthorized camping along Indian Mounds Drive. They also prioritized safety, maintenance, ecological restoration and respect for the Grand River Burial Mounds.
"We also want to maintain access to the Grand River for recreational use, like fishing and boating," Anthony said. "We want to improve safety and the overall experience for people using this regional trail system."
Indians Mounds Drive will be part of the Grand River Greenway, which will be a network of connected parks and trails.
For more information about the project and RSVP at kentcountymi.gov/IMD.
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