For racket sports fans, Big Rapids’ own Hemlock Park will soon be a new place to play.

Currently in the city’s recreational renovation projects are new tennis and pickleball courts going into the park as well as by Big Rapids Middle School.

While progress has been slow, city manager Mark Gifford said they are hopeful for completion of the courts within the next few weeks.

“We're going to finalize last year’s phase one project, which is surfacing the tennis courts, pickleball courts and then resurfacing the basketball court,” Gifford said. “That should be done, I hope, by the end of the month.”

 

 

According to Gifford, the surfacing was originally put on hold due to inconsistent overnight temperatures for curing the surface on the concrete.

Along with new courts, the city has placed bids towards the replacement of the playscape and construction of splash pads at the park. This part of the project was made possible by two state grants, which were directly in support of the pads. The awarded bids will be announced July 17 by the city commission.

“If all things go right, we’ll get some good bids,” Gifford said. “Then construction would happen (from) the end of summer and through fall.”

Gifford says the progress has “been a journey" but "can’t wait to get the project underway.”