Introducing Wycliffe Trailhead Park: Dedication is May 18

Introducing
Wycliffe Trailhead Park

Dedication for Cascade’s first trailhead and nature playground is May 18

CASCADE — Longtime resident Kris Taylor knows Cascade’s pathway system well. He and his wife, Kathy, are self-proclaimed ‘trail freaks.’ “We’ve traveled all of them,” he said. The Taylors have been involved in the pathway system since the Township had the foresight to build one along Cascade Road in the mid-1990s.

“That was heaven when they opened the first pathway (along Cascade Road),” said Taylor, who is also a member of the current Township Pathways Committee. By 1998, Township voters overwhelmingly approved a special millage to support additional trail construction. Nearly 30 years later, Cascade boasts 17-plus miles of well-loved non-motorized paved trails. 

What was missing, however, was dedicated trailhead access and a play area for those not immediately adjacent to a pathway. On Saturday, May 18 those recreational gaps become history as Cascade officially opens its seventh recreation area: Wycliffe Trailhead Park, 2977 Wycliffe Drive SE.

The dedication starts at 11 a.m. with statements from Township Supervisor Grace Lesperance, Parks & Recreation Director Melanie Manion, and Rev. Michael Rocque of Unity Spiritual Community of Grand Rapids. The church played a pivotal role in the acquisition of the Wycliffe property and shares its parking lot with the Township. Refreshments will be provided by Unity church. Following the short ceremony, attendees will be encouraged to explore the park. Staff will also be on hand to answer any questions about the property and playground. 

"We know there have been few park options for residents east of the Thornapple River,” said Lesperance. "With Wycliffe, we’re safely linking the Cascade Woods neighborhood and points south with the village area and beyond and providing a unique play area.” 

The opening of Wycliffe Trailhead Park also complements the Township’s plans for pedestrian improvements to the Cascade Road/Thornapple River bridge, and the Cascade Village Reimagined project, which will create a more walkable and traditional small-town center. 

“This pathway access area goes hand-in-hand with our plans to enhance walkability in Cascade,” said Lesperance. “Families will feel safe parking at Wycliffe, taking in nature, crossing the Thornapple River and getting a treat at a village establishment.” 

Wycliffe: Part Trailhead, Part Natural Area, Part Playground

Besides providing a safe place for residents to park and enter the pathway system, this 1.86-acre parcel features several nature trails that gently wind through the property. The most unique part of Wycliffe, however, is its nature-based playground.

Left: The 3 to 5-year-old playground includes wooden structures for imaginative play. Right: the 5- to 12-year-old play area includes an obstacle ropes course.

In the 2022 parks survey, residents ranked nature-based play areas as one of the highest requested amenities for Cascade parks. Much more than just playing in the woods, nature-based playgrounds provide a variety of durable and interactive playground structures made from natural elements. These structures are intended to inspire children’s curiosity and provide unstructured play in a safe environment.  

"I was excited that residents overwhelmingly supported this type of playground. Because this is a public space, following safety standards was essential," said Manion. "So, we consulted a regional leader in natural playgrounds – the Outdoor Discovery Network – to help us find the right designer and builder. They connected us with Kompan, a world-renowned playground equipment manufacturer.” 

Last fall, Kompan worked closely with the Parks Committee and staff to develop two playgrounds: One intended for 2- to 5-year-olds (three wooden structures for imaginative play) and one intended for 5- 12-year-olds (an obstacle ropes course made with UV-resistant and metal-reinforced material to resist breakage).

“These play structures are top-notch,” said Manion. “They will provide interactive and ADA-accessible play for years to come.” 

Aside from constructing the playground itself, to keep costs low, volunteers and Township Building & Grounds staff completed the majority of the park improvements. This included creating a fully accessible trail, installing rail fencing to create a barrier between the park and Cascade Road, and removing invasive species, including numerous black locust trees.  

"Several dozen volunteers joined staff last fall to truly 'trailblaze' at Wycliffe,” said Manion, “It was fantastic to see the community support this effort in such a giving way." 

Volunteers pile branches and logs for chipping during a community volunteer workday at Wycliffe Trailhead Park last fall.

Background: The 'Church on the Hill' Property

The well-known 'Church on the Hill’ property – 2965 Wycliffe Drive – has a storied history dating back to the earliest settlers of Cascade. It was also home to several churches, notably St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and New Day Community Church. When the property went up for sale several years ago, it caught the attention of a newly merged church searching for a larger home. 

“After the two Unity churches in Grand Rapids merged, we began looking for existing churches that would be a good fit for our combined congregations,” said Unity Spiritual Community of Grand Rapids Board Member Lynne Hill. 

The location was perfect – but the property was larger than Unity needed. To better understand their options, Unity began discussions with the township. Cascade also happened to be interested in the property. In 2021 the Township Board of Trustees and Unity church discussed a partnership: the church would buy the entire parcel, split it, and sell the undeveloped (wooded) portion of the property to the Township for $300,000. The goal – create a public park. By September 2021, the Township and the church entered into a sharing agreement, which included Township access to the existing parking lot. 

“We are grateful for the partnership that has evolved between Cascade Township and our church,” said Hill. “Our shared goal is to create a beautiful and comfortable space where everyone is welcome. We look forward to expanding our relationship with the township in the coming years.”

For more information on Wycliffe Trailhead Park and Cascade's other parks and pathways, visit cascadetwp.com/parks.

About Cascade Township

Home to more than 19,000 residents, Cascade Township is committed to serving the public by providing the finest community services possible with respect, efficiency and integrity. With the Thornapple River at its heart, Cascade Township is recognized as an excellent place to live, work, play and raise a family. For more information, visit cascadetwp.com.

 For high-resolution versions of the images in this news release, please email rlakeberg@cascadetwp.com. All images credit Cascade Township.