What’s Being Built
Tassel Park sits at the heart of Cascade Township’s village core, at the confluence of Thornapple River and Cascade Road. The township has approved a major redesign incorporating two recently acquired parcels (Tuffy/Verberg properties), expanding the park’s footprint significantly.
The project was designed by the Troyer Group and presented to the Board of Trustees on March 11, 2026. The board showed strong support; public feedback at the meeting was generally positive while raising specific questions about tree removal, costs, and maintenance.
Funded entirely through the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) via tax increment financing bonds — not general township property taxes. Residents outside the DDA district pay little or nothing directly into DDA funds.
What Gets Built: The Full Plan
Key features of the approved design:
- Sunken plaza with splash pad and natural playground — year-round use; the sunken grade creates a wind-protected social space
- Riverfront boardwalk along the Thornapple River — improved access to the water’s edge
- Pavilion with restrooms — replaces aging facilities; all-season shelter
- Angled parking on Thornapple River Drive — adds parking capacity for the village area
- Pedestrian underpass under Cascade Road — connects the park to the north side of Cascade Rd without crossing traffic; key safety improvement
- Lighting and cameras — improved evening safety and security
- Enhanced accessibility — ADA-compliant pathways throughout
Tree removal: most trees removed are invasive species. The design retains mature native trees where possible; public comments at the March 11 meeting specifically raised tree preservation, and the board noted this concern.
Source: March 11, 2026 Board Meeting (Troyer Group presentation)
Cost, Funding, and Timeline
Timeline
- Phase 1 (Summer 2026): Demolition, parking improvements, non-floodway work — bids potentially going out soon after the March meeting
- Full construction: 2027 — the larger riverfront and plaza elements require floodway permitting and longer lead time
Source: March 11, 2026 Board Meeting
Community Response: Support and Concerns
- The existing park is aging and underutilized; this investment brings it up to regional standards
- DDA funding protects the general fund — this is not a property tax increase
- The pedestrian underpass under Cascade Road addresses a genuine safety gap for families
- Riverfront access improvements benefit the whole village area, not just park users
- Splash pad and playground bring young families to the village core
- Tree removal: even “mostly invasives” raises questions about what gets taken; residents asked for clarity at the March meeting
- Ongoing maintenance cost: a more complex park means higher annual upkeep
- Competing priorities: DDA money spent on the park is money not spent on other village needs
- Past development mistakes (drainage lawsuits in other projects) fuel caution about ambitious construction
How to Weigh In
- Attend Township Board meetings: First Tuesday of the month, 7 PM, Township Hall, 2865 Thornhills Ave SE. The park project is on the agenda for Phase 1 bids (expected by summer 2026).
- Contact the township: (616) 866‑1561 · cascadetwp.com
- Watch the March 11 meeting recording for the full Troyer Group presentation including renderings: YouTube — March 11, 2026