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Unity Park opens in Grand Rapids' Roosevelt Park neighborhood

Unity Park opens in Grand Rapids' Roosevelt Park neighborhood

Built World Grand Rapids, MI local

The $2.23 million park opened after a naming dispute that took two public votes to settle

October 14th, 2026: Unity Park opens to the public

Overview

Updated Nov 2

After years of planning, a $2.23 million gathering space opened October 14 in Grand Rapids' Roosevelt Park neighborhood. Unity Park at 680 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW has a vendor plaza, hammock groves, an inclusive playground and a rain garden.

After a call for names, an initial vote early in 2025 picked 'Navarro Plaza' to honor the founders of El Matador Tortilla Chip Co. After pushback, a second vote later that year chose 'Unity Park.' The city pledged to honor the Navarro family another way.

Why it matters

The park gives Roosevelt Park a long-awaited public gathering space, settling a naming dispute through two public votes.

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Key Indicators

$2.23M
Project cost
Funded by the Michigan Enhancement Grant and the Parks Capital Fund.
2
Public votes on park name
A first vote early in 2025 chose 'Navarro Plaza'; a revote later that year chose 'Unity Park.'

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People Involved

MN
Miguel Navarro
Co-founder of El Matador Tortilla Chip Co.
Honor deferred; city pledged to recognize the Navarro family separately

Organizations Involved

City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
Municipal Parks Department
Led planning and construction of Unity Park

The city department that oversees Grand Rapids' public parks and managed the Unity Park project.
Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association
Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association
Community Organization
Project partner

Local residents' group that partnered on Unity Park planning and the naming votes.

Timeline

2025 October 2026

3 events Latest: October 14th, 2026 · 4 weeks ago

  1. Unity Park opens to the public

    Latest Opening

    Ribbon cutting at 680 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW with celebration, music and hot chocolate.

  2. First naming vote picks 'Navarro Plaza'

    Public Process

    Initial public vote picks 'Navarro Plaza' to honor El Matador Tortilla Chip Co. founders.

  3. Second vote chooses 'Unity Park'

    Public Process

    After community debate, revote selects 'Unity Park'; city pledges separate Navarro honor.

Scenarios

1

City honors Navarro family with separate tribute

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: WGRD radio's reporting on the naming pledge

The city committed during the 2025 revote to recognize Miguel and Isabel Navarro another way. If it follows through, expect a street, plaza, building or park feature named after them, likely through a city council resolution or parks board action.

2

Unity Park becomes an active community venue

Possible Resolves by Oct 14, 2027

Discussed by: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, which promoted the grand opening

The park's vendor plaza and flexible gathering zone are designed for events. Whether it becomes a regular venue depends on city programming and neighborhood groups booking it.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2018

Chicago renames Congress Parkway for Ida B. Wells (2018)

Chicago's city council voted to rename Congress Parkway, a six-lane downtown artery, after journalist and civil rights leader Ida B. Wells. The change followed years of advocacy and made it the first Loop street named for a Black woman.

Then

City workers installed new signs in early 2019 and old maps were updated.

Now

It set a precedent for honoring Black historical figures through major street names in Chicago.

Why this matters now

Shows how a contested civic naming can get pushed through with enough public pressure, the same force that shifted Grand Rapids from 'Navarro Plaza' to 'Unity Park.'

2020

Boston renames Yawkey Way to Jersey Street (2020)

Boston officials voted to rename the street outside Fenway Park after years of criticism of former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey's record of segregation. The city and the Red Sox backed the change.

Then

Street signs were replaced later that year.

Now

It showed how civic institutions respond to pressure to remove names tied to discrimination.

Why this matters now

Parallel to Unity Park: a name with local meaning gets reversed after a public campaign, with city leaders finding a compromise.

Sources

(9)
+3
WOODTV.com WOOD Radio WGRD WWMT MLive Clark and Clark Real Estate City of Grand Rapids WGVU News WGVU News