City of Plainwell Parks

Plainwell features seven bridges and seven parks, each with their unique identity and amenities. Enjoy a picnic, watch the river roll by, or put your canoe or kayak in the waters of the mightly Kalamazoo at Fannie Pell, Sherwood, or Darrow Parks. Take the kids to the playgrounds at either Hicks, Sherwood, of Thurl Cook Parks. Gather the team for a game of softball, catch, or soccer at Plainwell's Kenyon Park. And taste the many flavors of Plainwell with a treat from Plainwell Ice Cream or Dean's Ice Cream while strolling on our Riverwalk Park, and you'll see why Plainwell is ranked one of the Seven Wonders of Southwest Michigan! The City Parks are planned and maintained in a cooperative effort between the Department of Public Works and the Parks & Trees Commission.

Currently, there are no vacancies on the board. To express interest in serving during a future term, residents of Plainwell may send a letter of interest to Plainwell's City Clerk, 141 N. Main Street, Plainwell, Michigan, 49080.

Parks & Trees Commission Members

Theresa Brooks, Chairperson

Danielle Golembiewski, Board Member

Sandy Lamorandier, DPW Designee

Marty Lohse, Board Member

Crystal Overhuel, Board Member

Todd Overhuel, Board Member

Sharron Schaafsma, Board Member

City Parks

Bandshell Park

Bandshell Park

Location:
250 N. Anderson Street

Features:
On the river, this park is used for summer concerts as well as other special events.

Darrow Park

Darrow Park

Location:
607 Hicks Street

Features:
A small park .37 acres in size on the west bank of the Kalamazoo river features picnic tables and accessisbility to the adjacent Gilkey Elementary Environmental Lab and nature trail.

Fannie Pell Park

Fannie Pell Park

Location:
North of downtown where the Millrace and Kalamazoo River meet

Features:
Fannie Pell Park is a one acre landscaped park located at the northern end of the Central Business District on Main Street. The park contains a gazebo (frequently used for weddings) picnic tables & canoe landing.

Hicks Park

Hicks Park

Location:
Downtown on W. Bridge

Features:
Hicks Park is the oldest park within the city, dating back to 1903, and was named after Joseph Hicks, Plainwell's first Mayor. This beautifully landscaped one acre park is located in the Central Business District, and offers accessible walkways with seating, picnic tables, grills, and a children's playground.

Kenyon Park

Kenyon Park

Location:
929 Lincoln Parkway

Features:
31.5 acre regional park that serves the recreational needs of the City of Plainwell and its neighboring cities and townships. The park features three softball fields, soccer fields, and a picnic pavilion, & restrooms. While the restrooms are locked, a $10 refundable deposit entitles key usage for one week. Contact City Hall to reserve.

Riverwalk Park

River Walk Park

Location:
Follows the Mill Race in Hicks Park and ends in Sherwood Park

Features:
This .62 mile linear park provides access from Hicks Park to Sherwood Park via a combination of wood boardwalks and concrete walkways that form a trail system. Riverwalk Park also contains a band shell and fishing platform.

Sherwood Park

Sherwood Park

Location:
121 N. Sherwood

Features:
This 3 acre park is on the east bank river and includes a playground, seating area with tables and benches, drinking fountain, basketball courts and sand volleyball courts.

Thurl Cook Park

Thurl Cook Park

Location:
East end of Oak Street / South end of Glenview Circle

Features:
This 5 acre park is just a few blocks northeast of Sherwood Park, featuring a100 ft lighted sledding hill, tennis and basketball courts, sheltered picnic tables, and a restroom facility. Keys for the restroom are available first come first serve at City Hall and require a $10 refundable deposit.

Park Map

Park Map


Over several months in 2007, the City of Plainwell in partnership with Landscape Architecture firm, Abonmarche, has been updating its Five-Year Recreation Plan. One of the first steps in the highly participatory process in developing a plan and to ensure the city was meeting the recreational needs and preferences of the community, was to conduct a stakeholder survey.

The Executive Summary of this survey can be viewed here:

The City of Plainwell's Community Recreation Plan: 2008-2012 was adopted on December 10, 2007 and can be viewed here.

E-Mail the Parks & Trees Commision

While the bathrooms at Kenyon and Thurl Cook Parks are locked, citizens are welcome to pick up the keys at City Hall during regualr office hours of 8 AM to 5 PM for a $10.00 refundable deposit. The keys can be reserved up to a week in advance and can be kept for up to one week. Call City Hall at (269) 685-6821 to check availability.