Heartside Park — Attraction in Grand Rapids

Seeing this park now, i find it almost unimaginable that the city would run festivals here years ago. There are people engaging in drug use, and those experiencing mental health issues too. This is NOT the place to walk around, and certainly not a place for children, despite the playground here.

That being said, downtown ambassadors regularly work to keep the space as clean as possible and timed-use bathrooms are available for those who can’t hold it.

There are people with hard lives staying here, and I hope the city keeps investing in resources that makes it such that they are certain they would be better off in a shelter.

Often, there are charitable people who come and set up food lines here. People also set up clothing drives, Medicaid signups, sponsored internet/phone services. The sporadic nature of this charity contributes to the general over-occupation of this space. I get that people want to feel good about themselves, but they should be giving their time or money to a homeless shelter like Mel Trotter, as they have a proven track record of getting people back on their feet and supporting them to build their own lives. “Giving a man a fish” just fosters dependency on...

This is a great park in the middle of the city but unfortunately it is one of the places where our unhoused members of the community are welcome, which is very needed an important, but it takes away from the park as I will not take my children to it because of what is seen and heard while there. This leads to an experience that is not enjoyable, from trash and solicitation for money. Relaxation and recreation are not possible with nearly every amenity in full time use by the many people who stay there all day. The pavilion is always full of people and every bench. It serves a much bigger need for our community than being a park. This place is vital for this population to have a safe...

A great place to catch a disease! If you feel like bumming around near downtown head on over to the heartside park area. Engage with the locals and enjoy a beverage with them. Mind your step as the area is sometimes seeded with fecal matter of the human variety with the occasional crack pipe and needle for added spice. The splash pad is operational in the warmer months and subs as an outdoor shower facility and urinal. (Kids not recommended) Once a year the city goes through and cleans up the litter, drug paraphernalia and empty booze bottles and renders the place fit for visitation for about a...