Rosa Parks Circle — Attraction in Grand Rapids

I was visiting from out of town and the young (17-18) 5’4 blonde medium length haired female employee who helped me was very rude. She tried to double charge me for my skate reservation, didn’t ask what color gloves I wanted when I purchased them (the other employee did), was very reluctant to assist me in trying on a smaller size of skates as I was worried they were too loose, and went so far as to say my time spent deliberating would be deducted from any skate time she was allowing me.

To top things off, she gave me cold stares and when I asked her if she could take a quick 30 second video of me ice skating she essentially tried to kick me off the ice rink because the Zamboni was approaching in the next few minutes. I told her multiple times it would take less than a minute and she begrudgingly did it, only after contradicting her previous statement by telling me I should just figure out how to prop my iPhone myself and film it, which would have taken way longer than a few minutes. The look on her face was a mixture of disgust and disdain.

There was another patron who was also so rude. I asked her, when I arrived, where the registration area was and she completely ignored me. I really don’t like the conservative vibe of Grand Rapids and feel I was judged for how I dress and carry myself. It’s not my fault I like to dress stylishly and carry a designer bag. I would NEVER have been treated like this at Millennium Park’s skating...

My FAVORITE place to ice skate. Due to COVID, this year there was a 2 week wait list. By the time it was my turn I was so happy to be here that I cried when I got out onto the ice. I'm from out of town, so GR isn't always just a quick drive for me. I homeschool three kids right now because of covid & work a full time job on the weekends. It made me so happy to get out if the house & work & do something I enjoy at my favorite place & just be myself for a bit. THANK YOU for remaining open and implementing a safety plan so that the public can still have some level of normalcy this season & thank you for not upping your prices even though I know you can't possibly be making as much as you usually do this year with the amount of people allowed at one time. I've always thought it would be magical if it where to snow while skating but it never did for me until this year & it was such a happy...

Depending on the event taking place, the crowd and vibe will often change. From labor fest to Wednesday food trucks and the winter ice skating, there is usually something going on.

As a whole, the park (recently upgraded) is clean. As are the bathrooms and waterfountains. Although the park is in such close proximity to Monroe, the placement of the band shell and foliage on hills makes for an overall park like experience with shade and modern facilities in the middle of the downtown area.

Parking is non existent. Especially with all the Jersey Barriers and outdoor seating of Monroe Center restaurants encroaching into the already congested street.

If you are fortunate to be within walking or biking distance of Rosa Parks Circle, whether there is an event or not, it offers a nice little refuge in the city center for break from the buildings and hustle...