Grand Rapids, MI – For years, residents have expressed the need for a larger, more welcoming community center to replace the cramped and aging park lodge located in the southeast section of the city. This dream is now a reality with the upcoming opening of the new Martin Luther King Park Lodge.
Scheduled to open on Saturday, February 21, the $19.7 million facility boasts nearly 25,000 square feet of space at 900 Fuller Ave. SE, providing an exciting destination for recreation and exercise for people of all ages.
City officials herald this location as a groundbreaking community hub, offering free fitness classes, a full-size gymnasium designed for basketball and pickleball, and a banquet event space that can accommodate up to 200 attendees.
“This represents an important and exhilarating moment for our neighborhood,” remarked Laura Cleypool, the city’s parks and recreation director.
To celebrate the opening, the city will host an open house from 2-5 p.m. on February 21, where visitors can tour the facility and enjoy free Grand Rapids Gold tickets for the first 100 attendees.
The official kick-off of the lodge’s free recreational programming will take place on March 2. Offerings will include after-school programs for teens, the Fitness Gold program featuring low-impact classes for participants aged 50 and above, and open gym times for basketball and pickleball enthusiasts.
Beginning on March 9, adult fitness classes will open for registration, followed by youth instructional classes starting March 16. Options will include line dancing, Pilates, hip-hop step, youth dance, and much more.
Individuals interested in signing up can find details and pricing information at grparks.info/recclasses.
When MLive/The Grand Rapids Press toured the space on February 3, construction teams were still completing flooring and final details.
The new MLK Park Lodge is five times the size of the old facility, which had fallen into disrepair and was not fully utilized due to its age and condition.
This new construction signifies a “complete transformation,” according to Cleypool.
“The entire atmosphere of the park has changed. It feels vibrant, contemporary, and full of energy—invigorating,” she added.
The decision to revamp the lodge arose from a quality-of-life assessment conducted in the MLK Park neighborhood in 2019. A significant recommendation from this study was to modernize the lodge into an appealing community venue that prioritizes safety and accessibility.
The city collaborated with Isaac V. Norris & Associates, P.C., utilizing feedback from hundreds of local residents to guide the design process. The old lodge was demolished in spring 2024, and construction followed later in the year.
Architect Isaac Norris designed the new facility with numerous windows to flood each room with natural light, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Features such as daylight harvesting will help manage energy costs by adjusting artificial lighting based on the available sunlight.
With fond memories of the park as a communal gathering space, Norris is excited about the potential of this newly designed center to be inclusive for everyone, stating, “From rentable spaces for gatherings to fitness areas and a community garden, there’s something for everyone here.”
Rental options will include a versatile 3,500-square-foot banquet area, classrooms accommodating up to 30 guests, and the gymnasium.
Additionally, the renovation features a new pool house, an expanded parking area, and a fitness loop equipped with outdoor exercise machines.
The comprehensive $19.7 million project received funding through a blend of city resources, including the parks millage and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Conclusion
As the Martin Luther King Park Lodge prepares to welcome the public, it stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and thoughtful planning in enhancing local well-being. With a variety of fitness programs and recreational opportunities, this new facility is poised to inspire healthier lifestyles and foster social connections among Grand Rapids residents. Whether you’re looking to stay active, organize an event, or simply enjoy the park’s vibrant atmosphere, the MLK Park Lodge is set to become a cornerstone of the community.
