Park Investigation Results Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - April 23, 2025April 24, 20250 Top 10 Local Parks A Summary Report Merze Tate Explorers Community Voices‘ Merze Tate Explorers and NowKalamazoo teamed up for a youth investigation of local neighborhood parks in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Of the 15 parks researched, the Explorers selected their top 11. These parks were within walking distance for youth and their families. Bronson Park and Mayor’s River Park were excluded because they are not located in neighborhoods where students would walk alone. Students created criteria to rank parks on a scale from 1 to 5 (5 being the best). A student-produced video will showcase their process, and interviews with families at various parks will accompany the results. This collaboration with NowKalamazoo and Community Voices, through the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative (SWMJC), will explore mental health among youth and emphasize how safe, clean, and accessible parks are essential to youth well-being. The Explorers’ contribution will provide a youth perspective on the importance of mental health. The Results Top 10 Neighborhood Parks in the City of Kalamazoo Rating: 5 – Great 4- Good 3- Average 2- Fair 1- Poor Ranking Rank # & Park Score 1- LaCrone Park (Northside) 4.72- Frays Park (Westside) 4.6 3- Milham Park (Southside) 4.04- Spring Valley Park (Eastside) 3.55- Henderson Tot Lot (Westside) 3.4 6- Reed Street (Southside) 3.3 7- Upjohn Park (Southside) 2.9 8- Rockwell Park (Eastside) 2.8 9- Farrell Parl (Northside) 2.5 10- Sherwood (Eastside) 1.0 10- Krom and Prouty Playlot (Northside) 1.0 *Note: The actual scorecards differ by 1 point each. Top 10 Local Parks A Summary Report Merze Tate Explorers Results and Quotes by Park from Great to Poor #1 – LaCrone Park – 535 W. Paterson St., 49007 Category Score Comments Neighborhood safety 2 Heard of a recent shooting (2024)Fences/Entrance 5 High fences for safetyPark size 4 Lots of activitiesPlayground Quality 2 Because lots of graffitiSeating for parents 2 Not by some equipmentNature/Lawn Care 4Visible Signs/Rules 5 A sign for pickleball rulesFacilities/Bathrooms 2 Not as cleanEvents/Activity 5 A birthday party cookoutPet-friendly resources 5 Doggie bags and garbage available Survey Comments Isabella Smith (age 11) Do you come to meet friends? Yes What is your favorite park? Davis Park Do you feel safe at this park? Yes Favorite park attraction here Splashpad What would you like to see? Little kids things Survey Comments Gigi Coleman (adult): How do you rank this park? 4 out of 5 How often do you come? 1-5 times/year Do you feel safe at this park? Yes How far do you come? Driving distance Are the bathrooms sufficient? Sometimes (Sample of scorecard) #2 – Frays Park – 4400 Canterbury, 49006 Category Score Comments Neighborhood safety 5 Closed neighborhood (no main entrance)Fences/Entrance 4 Park size 2 Playground Quality 5 Seating for parents 5 Nature/Lawn Care 5Visible Signs/Rules 5 Park rules were visible. Facilities/Bathrooms 0 Events/Activity 3 Pet-friendly resources 2 Survey Comments AJ & Emmet (7,9): Do you come to meet friends? Yes What is your favorite park? Do you feel safe at this park? Yes My favorite park attraction here Rockwall/Slide What would you like to see? Sandpit, pool, trampoline, ice cream truck, hot tubBrant Downing (adult) How do you rank this park? 4 out of 5 How often do you come? 6-10 times/year Do you feel safe at this park? Yes How far do you come? Walking distance Are the bathrooms sufficient? No #3 – Milham Park – 607 E. Kilgore Road, 49002 Category Score Comments Neighborhood safety 5 Really good park; like the waterFences/Entrance 0 Park size 5 Playground Quality 5 Seating for parents 5 Nature/Lawn Care 5Visible Signs/Rules 4 Facilities/Bathrooms 2 Events/Activity 3 Pet-friendly resources 0 Did not see doggie poop bags(*Note: See video for participant responses) #4 – Spring Valley Park – 2600 Mt. Olivet Road, 49004 Category Score CommentsNeighborhood safety 3 Gunshots heard in the pastFences/Entrance 0 No fences Park size 5 Playground Quality 2 Nice structure; unkept, no swings on the swing structure Seating for parents 5 Nature/Lawn Care 5 Lots of nature, needs upkeepVisible Signs/Rules 4 Lots of signs; needs newer ones Facilities/Bathrooms 3 Events/Activity 5 People frisbee golf, family picnic, joggers, fishing, kids and adults Pet-friendly resources 2 No doggie poop bags; just a sign Survey Comments Vince (adult): How do you rank this park? 5 out of 5 How often do you come? 10+ times/year Do you feel safe at this park? Mostly (yes) – Police have been seen here How far do you come? 8 miles Are the bathrooms sufficient? N/A Comment: the park is good for big groups, fishing; I feel safer in the larger areas of the park. #4 – Spring Valley Park (continued) Survey Comments Kloe (6): Do you come to meet friends? Family What is your favorite park? Do you feel safe at this park? Yes My favorite park attraction here Slide What would you like to see? Slime Madison (adult) How do you rank this park? 4 out of 5 How often do you come? 10+/year Do you feel safe at this park? Yes How far do you come? Driving Are the bathrooms sufficient? No #5 – Henderson Tot Lot – 1601 Henderson Ct., 49006 Category Score CommentsNeighborhood safety 5 Cute park Fences/Entrance 4 Yes Park size 1 Tiny; for small neighborhoodPlayground Quality 5 Cute; for small kids Seating for parents 5 Perfect for parents Nature/Lawn Care 4 Visible Signs/Rules 5 Facilities/Bathrooms 0 Events/Activity 0 Pet-friendly resources 5 *(No participants to interview at this park.) #6 – Reed Street Park – 1700 Portage St., 49001 Category Score CommentsNeighborhood safety 4 Fences/Entrance 3 Park size 1 Tiny; street parkingPlayground Quality 4 Seating for parents 5 Pavilion Nature/Lawn Care 4 Visible Signs/Rules 3 Facilities/Bathrooms 0 Events/Activity 3 kids playing basketball Pet-friendly resources 5 doggie bags, and trash can *(No participants to interview at this park.) #7 – Upjohn Park – 1000 Walter St., 49001 Category Score CommentsNeighborhood safety 1 Halfway (seems safe) Fences/Entrance 0 Pool fence only Park size 4 Playground Quality 3 I love the roller slide, skateboard park, pool, sensory activities Seating for parents 5 Pavilion/Benches Nature/Lawn Care 3 Visible Signs/Rules 2 faded signs; unreadable Facilities/Bathrooms 3 Events/Activity 4 people, families, picnicPet-friendly resources 4 doggie bags Survey Comments Rusty Lee (adult): How do you rank this park? 4 out of 5 How often do you come? Here for cookout; first time What is your favorite park? Oshtemo How far do you come? 10 minute drive Are the bathrooms sufficient? YesAdditional: Nice place for kids to run around Tierra Jolly (adult): How do you rank this park? 4 out of 5 How often do you come? 1st time Do you feel safe at this park? Yes How far do you come? 5-minute Drive Are the bathrooms sufficient? N/A Additional: It was easily accessible for our playdate Malcolm Jolly (5): Do you come to meet friends? Yes What is your favorite park? Do you feel safe at this park? My favorite park attraction here? hot dog slide What would you like to see? More slides Tyler (8): Do you come to meet friends? No What is your favorite park? Do you feel safe at this park? Yes My favorite park attraction here? Handle bars What would you like to see? Spinning chairs #8 – Rockwell Park – 1106 Trimble, 49048 Category Score CommentsNeighborhood safety 3 Fences/Entrance 5 High fencing Park size 3 Playground Quality 4 Seating for parents 4 Nature/Lawn Care 3 Visible Signs/Rules 1 2015 financial support plaque Facilities/Bathrooms 2 smells; mirrors faded Events/Activity 5 3 on 3 basketball game Pet-friendly resources 1 0 doggie bags Asher Eichorn (14): Do you come to meet friends? First time What is your favorite park? Do you feel safe at this park? Yes My favorite park attraction here? Low rims What would you like to see? Nets on rims; new lines for the basketball court Carolyn Wolski (adult): How do you rank this park? 3.5/5 How often do you come? 1st time Do you feel safe at this park? Yes How far do you come? 5-minute Drive Are the bathrooms sufficient? Yes Additional: Hosting the 3 on 3 basketball game with Trenches Church; would like to see a tennis court. #9 – Ferrell Park – 809 N. Rose St., 49007 Category Score CommentsNeighborhood safety 4 Fences/Entrance 5 High fencing; 2 entrances Park size 3 Street parking Playground Quality 4 Seating for parents 5 Nature/Lawn Care 5 Nice environment for city park Visible Signs/Rules 3 Facilities/Bathrooms 4 Events/Activity 5 Kings and Queens back to school event/ backpack giveaway Pet-friendly resources 2 0 doggie bags Jeramiah & Ava (15,13): Do you come to meet friends? No What is your favorite park? LaCrone Do you feel safe at this park? Yes My favorite park attraction here Spinner What would you like to see? zipline Additional: These were participants of Kings and QueensAdditional comments are on video interviews. #10 – Sherwood Park – 300 Wallace Avenue, 49048 Category Score CommentsNeighborhood safety 1 Park looks scarey Fences/Entrance 0 Park size 1 only 2 parking spots Playground Quality 2 Tiny; good potential Seating for parents 1 None Nature/Lawn Care 2 Poorly kept; not invitingVisible Signs/Rules 3 Old, faded signFacilities/Bathrooms 0 Events/Activity 0 No activityPet Friendly 0 #11 – Krom and Prouty Playlot – 1602 Krom 49007 Category Score CommentsNeighborhood safety 2 Fences/Entrance 0 Park size 1 Small; street parking Playground Quality 2 Tiny/No people, good potential Seating for parents 0 None Nature/Lawn Care 3 Poorly kept; not invitingVisible Signs/Rules 0 Facilities/Bathrooms 0 Events/Activity 0 Pet Friendly 0 *(No participants to interview at this park.)
