Designers from the Troyer Group and Native Edge presented an updated schematic design for Tassel (Village) Park that expands the park footprint by incorporating the Tuffy site and the recently acquired Burberg property and focuses on riverfront access, ecological improvements and flexible public spaces.

Mike Reese of Troyer Group and Wes Landon of Native Edge outlined core elements: a sunken plaza with a cascading water feature intended to buffer traffic noise and provide natural play, parallel parking relocated along Thornapple River Drive to remove parking from the park's main lawn, an upper promenade and a lower boardwalk to increase river access, a reimagined Ruby's Gazebo and a small amphitheater, kayak launches and a flexible cottage building sited where the former doctor's office stood.

Why it matters: the plan aims to balance preservation of historic park character with new programming, increase multi-season use through lighting and utilities, and improve safety by opening sight lines and adding security and lighting. Trustees repeatedly emphasized the value of intentional lighting to extend evening use and to help with safety; one trustee said intentional lighting had transformed other parks into evening destinations.

Environmental and maintenance constraints: staff reported a baseline environmental assessment at the Burberg site filed with the state; contamination was found, and designers said the agreed approach is a 12-inch cap with a state-approved maintenance plan rather than wholesale soil removal. "We have to keep a 12 inch barrier," staff said, and designers said they will coordinate excavation and capping with the final design and permitting.

Costs and operations: trustees questioned electrical capacity, utilities and long-term maintenance costs for features such as water recirculation systems, gas fire pits with timers and additional lighting. Designers said the water feature would use a recirculating system and that an aquatics consultant will provide sanitization and maintenance guidance in design development; utility and maintenance cost projections will be included in subsequent design phases.

Public process: staff announced a DDA/board work session tentatively scheduled for Dec. 8 and a public open house to display plans and collect feedback. Designers and staff asked the DDA to collect questions and said public feedback will help refine parking, programming and safety features.

Next steps: design development will address electrical capacity, maintenance plans, environmental capping details, and cost projections; staff will coordinate the public open house and produce materials to clarify design choices and options.