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Covenant Park Advisory Committees

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Advisory committees Overview

Formerly known as the Christian Athletic Complex, Covenant Park is located at 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE. The City accepted a donation of the 109-acre parcel in May of 2020 through a substantial gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation from an anonymous donor with the condition that the property will be used by the City for parks and recreational purposes and that it be named Covenant Park. The site features open spaces, walking trails, softball fields and a clubhouse.

To ensure that future development and use of Covenant Park aligns with the Parks and Recreation Business Plan, Parks Master Plan, Non-Motorized Trail Plan and the extensive public engagement obtained by the Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee along with our regional partners, two advisory committees were established on October 12, 2020, to begin development of a long-term plan for Covenant Park.

This process ultimately seeks to determine how the property will align with local parks and recreational needs while concurrently exploring regional competitive sport opportunities that could bring added value to our local efforts.

Covenant Park Advisory Committee for Active and Passive Recreation

Committee Expectations

The Covenant Park Advisory Committee for Active and Passive Recreation will:

  • Gather, review and prioritize active and passive improvement ideas, concepts and plans for Covenant Park;
  • Create community-based subcommittees as necessary to complete its tasks;
  • Make recommendations to City Commission on how identified improvements will align with the Parks and Recreation Business Plan, Parks Master Plan and Non-Motorized Trail Plan to meet the needs of the community;
  • Review and prioritize sustainable funding options to accomplish the prioritized improvements; and
  • Take such other actions as directed from time to time by the City Commission.

Members:

  • Emily Bridson, City Commission
  • Robert Coughlin, City Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Christopher Furner, community member
  • Mark Giles, community member
  • Jill Gorkowski, Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Maurice Groce, City Commission
  • James Hayes, Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Karmen Johnson, Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Fridah Kanini, West Michigan Kenyans, A Glimpse of Africa
  • Ed Kape, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission
  • Tarwo Konbloa, West Ottawa High School soccer
  • Mimi Madden, Parks and Recreation Commission, Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education
  • David Moore, Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Dustin Mosley, Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Phillip Nguyen, Vietnamese Community Association of Grand Rapids
  • Darius Quinn, Planning Commission
  • Laurie Sheldon, community member
  • Adam Shilling, community member
  • Kevin Small, Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Billy Smith, community member
  • Travis Tate, community member

Covenant Park Advisory Committee for Regional Competitive Sports

Committee Expectations

The Covenant Park Advisory Committee for Regional Competitive Sports will:

  • Gather, review and prioritize improvement ideas for regional competitive sports, concepts and plans for Covenant Park;
  • Create community-based subcommittees as necessary to complete its tasks;
  • Make recommendations to City Commission on how identified improvements will align with the Parks and Recreation Business Plan, Parks Master Plan and Non-Motorized Trail Plan to meet the needs of the community;
  • Review and prioritize sustainable funding options to accomplish the prioritized improvements; and
  • Take such other actions as directed from time to time by the City Commission.

Members:

  • Shea Abbgy, Great Lakes Disc
  • Betsy Artz, City Commission
  • Rick Baker, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Ron Draayer, City Commission
  • Sanel Fazlic, Bosnian Cultural Center, Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina. All American Athletic Academics soccer at Aquinas College, Kentwood Community Foundation
  • Mike Guswiler, West Michigan Sports Commission
  • Adetunji Ifaturoti, High school soccer for Caledonia and Byron Center, Michigan Fire Juniors
  • Fridah Kanini, West Michigan Kenyans, A Glimpse of Africa
  • Tom McKelvey, City Commission
  • Sam Moore, Kent County Parks Foundation
  • Tim Mroz, The Right Place
  • Phillip Nguyen, Vietnamese Community Association of Grand Rapids
  • Sam Nichols, Michigan Sports Academies
  • Bob O'Callaghan, Kentwood-Wyoming Chamber of Commerce
  • Kevin Polston, Kentwood Public Schools
  • Ram Ravikumar, MIGR Cricket Club
  • Paul Richards, Grand Rapids Pickleball Club
  • Josh Sheldon, Midwest United FC
  • Doug Small, Experience Grand Rapids
  • Monica Sparks, Kent County Commission
  • Dan Frayer, West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance
  • Michael Zoerhoff, Kentwood Public Schools
Meeting Schedule

March 22-March 25: Preliminary site tours

Monday, March 29 at 6 p.m. - electronic/virtual meeting
Monday, June 14 at 6 p.m. – Library Community Room, 4950 Breton Ave. SE
Monday, July 19 at 6 p.m. – Library Community Room, 4950 Breton Ave. SE
 Monday, Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. – Library Community Room, 4950 Breton Ave. SE
 Monday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. – Library Community Room, 4950 Breton Ave. SE
 Monday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. – Library Community Room, 4950 Breton Ave. SE
 Monday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. – Covenant Park Clubhouse, 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE
Monday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. – Covenant Park Clubhouse, 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE 
Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. – City Hall, City Commission Chambers, 4900 Breton Ave. SE
Park Imagery
Following are links to a video and photos of the property for reference: 

Committee Documents and Information

Get Involved

Interested in getting involved and serving the community? We welcome residents to participate in a variety of boards and committees and are always accepting applications. Please send completed committee applications to mayor@kentwood.us.