Rosa Parks Circle

Rosa Parks Circle is a 3.5-acre urban park located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Designed by renowned artist and architect Maya Lin, best known for creating the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the park was completed in 2001 as part of a comprehensive urban renewal plan for the city.

The centerpiece of Rosa Parks Circle is a unique amphitheater and gathering space called "Ecliptic." This circular area features concentric ellipses made of concrete, which were later replaced with granite during renovations. The design incorporates water in three states: liquid, vapor, and solid. In warmer months, the space functions as an amphitheater for concerts, dance events, and other public gatherings. During winter, it transforms into an ice skating rink, attracting thousands of visitors each season.

A distinctive feature of the ice rink is the presence of 166 fiber optic lights embedded beneath the surface. These lights are designed to represent the night sky over Grand Rapids as it appeared at midnight on January 1, 2000, creating a celestial display for skaters to enjoy.

The park is named in honor of Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist and long-time Michigan resident. A statue of Parks was added to the park in 2010, standing at the corner of Monroe Center Street NW and Monroe Avenue NW. This addition further emphasizes the park's role as a symbol of community and social progress.

Rosa Parks Circle has become a focal point for city life in Grand Rapids, hosting a variety of events throughout the year. It serves as a gathering place for cultural festivals, weekly dance classes, and public viewings of major events. The park's success has been credited with spurring redevelopment in the surrounding area, attracting restaurants, galleries, and shops, as well as the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which now stands adjacent to the circle.

Recent improvements to the park have included upgrades to the existing stage, the addition of new granite and wood benches, improved restroom facilities, and enhanced landscaping with additional shade trees. These renovations have further solidified Rosa Parks Circle's status as a key public space in Grand Rapids, blending artistic design with practical urban planning to create a vibrant community hub.