Why Gather Park Township
Our previous community center was unfortunately struck by lightning in July of 2022, and the resulting fire caused irreparable damage to the 85-year-old building. Since then, Park Township has been resourceful in relocating some activities to temporary facilities. Others simply could not continue. In the aftermath, township leaders agreed that the community needs a shared place for gathering, recreation and other uses.
Gather Park Township is an opportunity for our community to collectively shape the vision for a renewed Park Township community center. The process will run from Spring 2024 through early Fall 2024 and feature multiple public participation opportunities through in-person events and online channels. At the conclusion, Park Township will issue a Request for Proposal for architectural services to design the community center aligned with the community’s vision.
History of the Community Center
The former Park Township Community Center has a rich history dating back to its construction in 1937. Over its first few decades, it hosted a variety of activities including roller skating, use as a voting hall, community meetings, and training for Navy air students during WWII. Park Township expanded and upgraded the building on several occasions, most recently in 1992 with the renovations of the gymnasium, bathrooms and the addition of the elevator among other accessibility improvements1.
“Photo courtesy of Hope College Archives & Special Collections. While the photo’s date was unavailable, it was likely taken in the 1950’s, based on similar items in the catalog.”
Over the last 25 years, users continued to utilize the Community Center in a number of ways including:
General Community Users:
- Birthday and graduation party rentals
- Operation of a former daycare business
- Boy Scouts Troop 43 meeting space
- Storage space for the Ottawa County Fair Grounds
Recreation Users:
- Travel and pickup basketball
- 2x Indoor pickleball courts
- Poor weather backup for Park Township
Sports & Recreation - Lacrosse clinics
- Ninja Warrior camp
- Karate classes
- Dance classes
- Indoor roller skating
Community Events
Youth Basketball
Ninja Warrior Camp
Indoor Pickleball Courts
Timeline of the Park Township Community Center
| 1915 | Park Township established as a civil township. |
| 1919 | Waukazoo Townhouse built and opened for the township administration on the north side. |
| 1926 | Central Park Townhouse built and opened to support township administration on the south side. |
| 1934 – 1935 | Park Township acquired additional land for parking, recreation, and to convert the old Interurban car barn at the southwest corner of Virginia Place into the Virginia Park community building on the south side. |
| 1936 | Park Township voters approved a resolution to move the north side polling place, Waukazoo Town Hall, to the fairgrounds. |
| 1937 | Township officials determined that moving the Waukazoo Town Hall to the fairgrounds location would not be possible because 152nd is too narrow and hemmed in by telephone poles. Instead, Park Township voters approved a resolution to sell Waukazoo Town Hall and build a new community center and township hall all at the fairgrounds. |
| The building was partially completed in late 1937. Board members were impressed by the workmanship. It was called the “North Side Community Hall”. | |
| 1939 – 1940 | Additional tax levies were approved by voters to finance the building. Outdoor bathroom facilities were added. |
| Operations of the building and the adjacent horse barn were farmed out to the North Shore Park Community Club. Residents enjoyed roller skating in the building, and riding activities at the barn. | |
| 1942 | Park Township bought an additional 50 acres to expand the grounds around the community center. |
| 1943 | Park Township board and the North Shore Park Community Club agreed to lease the facilities to Hope College to house naval air students training at the Park Township airport. This program lasted seven months. |
| 1945 – 1991 | The North Side Community Hall serves as a space for basketball, roller skating, rentals and other community events in addition to support for the Ottawa County Fairgrounds. |
| 1992 | The North Side Community Hall received a $459,000 upgrade, with $259,000 coming from a community development block grant. The sixty-two year old building was brought up to code, the gymnasium was renovated, the bathrooms were made handicap accessible, and an elevator was installed. |
| 2022 | The Park Township Community Center (formerly known as the North Side Community Hall) was struck by lightning and suffered from significant fire damage. Activities formerly housed there were relocated as best as possible. Many discontinued. |
| 2024 | Park Township launched a visioning process to imagine the future for this renewed community resource. The effort is spearheaded by a group of Township residents from various professional backgrounds, including a Trustee and a Planning Commissioner. |
1Swierenga, Robert P. Park Township Centennial History 1915 – 2015: “Holland’s Water Playground”, Ottawa County, Michigan. Michigan: Van Raalte Press.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do we need a community center?
Park Township has had a community center since 1937. Up until 2022, the building continued to host numerous activities every week. Unfortunately, a lightning strike and resulting fire in July, 2022 have made the building unusable and unrepairable. The process of public engagement will reveal to what extent the community wants a renewed community center and what amenities will best enhance the quality of life for Park Township residents.
2. How would Park Township fund the community center? Will this cost taxpayers anything?
The budget for any development will come from a mix of insurance claim funds (from the previous community center), township funds, and additional investment which could potentially come from public or private sources. The community’s vision is necessary first to define what resources will be needed.
3. When would construction begin?
The process for visioning a new community center is just beginning. It is likely to be a couple years before construction begins.
The future construction will likely unfold over multiple phases to best steward township finances and meet the evolving needs of our community both now and into the future.
4. How do I get involved?
Check out our Get Involved page to learn about upcoming events, surveys and opportunities to participate in the process.
5. What if I can’t attend the in-person events?
Park Township wants to make it possible for all residents to participate, including ‘snowbirds’ or folks with time conflicts. To facilitate that process, we have also created a survey, which is available on the Get Involved page. It is open until March 22.
6. How are you including younger voices in this process?
Park Township has engaged directly with representatives from West Ottawa Public Schools, Rose Park Elementary from Holland Christian Schools and Black River Public Schools as part of the process. Our process includes the voices, papers, and drawings of elementary, middle and high school students through engagement with student governments and at the classroom level.
In addition, all people are welcome to attend our Open House events, regardless of age.
7. Who is organizing the outreach process?
To drive the process forward, the board has formed an experienced, nine-member project committee led by trustee Bryan Jones and planning commission member Len Pilon. Members include:
- Bryan Jones (Trustee, Co-Chair)
- Len Pilon (Planning Commissioner, Co-Chair)
- Lydia Knowles
- Jamie Millspaugh
- Tim Shields
- Prescott Slee
- Randy Brown
- Jerry DeShaw
- Dave Ash
Contact
Looking to connect or participate?