Allendale board reviews skate park and ninja course; residents oppose removing Baseball Field #1

The Allendale Charter Township Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed engineer drawings on April 23 for a proposed skate park and “ninja course” and agreed to refer phase 1 of the plan to the Township Board for a final decision.

Board member Schuitema presented the engineer’s drawings and described possible site changes, including a potential parking lot between the new equipment and Field #5 and the placement of the skate and ninja features in the area currently occupied by Field #1. The board discussed ADA playground equipment planned for phase 2 and options for a shelter and tiered seating near the band shell; Haveman said he would contact the engineer to explore an incline or slope so seating sight lines allow viewers to see over lawn chairs. No final design decision was made on the shelter.

The proposal drew immediate concern from youth baseball stakeholders and residents during the public-comment period. Brad Gibbons, speaking for Little League, said removing a baseball field to add the skate park and ninja course would be “irresponsible,” and asked why the board would remove a facility that is currently needed and in use. Hadaas Brower, also a Little League board member, said she opposed removing Field #1 and added that the existing fields are not maintained by the township.

Several commenters suggested alternatives to preserve field capacity. Jeremy Borgman proposed removing Fields #2 and #3 instead and replacing them with three new fields so the total number of fields would remain the same. Corey Sobeck said he liked the idea of a skate park and ninja course but opposed removing any existing field to create space. Marty LaHaie, who identified himself as a past competitive skater and Little League board member, said he supported a skate park but urged locating it in an existing open area rather than on Field #1. Jordan Smith criticized what he described as a lack of transparency around the project and said he did not believe the park has space for the proposed skate facility.

The board did not take a formal vote on the park plan at this meeting; members recorded two routine, unanimous votes earlier in the session. The board approved the September 18, 2025 Parks & Recreation minutes (motion by Schuitema; second Hoekstra) and approved the meeting agenda (motion by Schuitema; second Haveman), each recorded as 5-0.

Next steps: the board agreed to bring phase 1 of the park project to the Township Board for further review and decision-making. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board did not set a final implementation schedule at this meeting.