Grand Haven Children’s Museum proposes shared community space

GRAND HAVEN, MI – Leaders of the Grand Haven Children’s Museum proposed this week a shared community space in a city-owned, downtown property.

The children’s museum, which does not yet have a physical location, is eyeing Central Park Place, a community space owned by the city at 421 Columbus Avenue.

“We need a large space in the heart of the community where kids and families can gather together to play, learn and connect in community with one another,” said Rachel Dody, founder and board president for the GHCM, during the Monday, Oct. 6, city council work session.

The museum is proposing to lease about 13,500 square feet of Central Park Place for 10 years, with five-year renewal options.

Dody said the museum would pay $2,150 a month in rent during construction, but once operating, the museum would pay $1 per year in rent in addition to a percentage of ongoing utilities, trash and snow removal.

The museum would also fund a $1.5 million to $2 million main-level expansion to create a “child-friendly entrance,” Dody said. The improvements would become property of the city. The museum space could potentially expand by 5,000 square feet.

The theater, Mackinaw Room and included catering kitchen, main entry, main hallway, restrooms, office space, storage and lower-level theater operations would be preserved during construction.

“It would be a welcoming space for children of all abilities and their families,” said Elizabeth Griffin, board member, parent and local library employee.

Griffin added that the museum will have “play-based exhibits that reflect Grand Haven’s unique identity.”

Dody said the expansion and exhibit builds would be privately funded, so at no cost to the city. She projected that the museum’s contributions would save the city approximately $128,000 per year by 2027 or 2028.

“This transforms Central Park Place into a more strategic civic asset, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to Grand Haven to what promises to be a regional destination for kids and families and for community engagement,” Dody said.

Griffin said the museum is expected to generate a $5.8 million economic impact to the local area.

Pictured is the official logo of the Grand Haven Children’s Museum. (Photo/Rachel Dody).

The GHCM based its research on neighboring children’s museums in St. Joe and Grand Rapids.

“Because none of our immediate neighbors have anything similar, Grand Haven can fill this regional gap and establish itself as a uniquely family-focused destination along the lakeshore,” Griffin said, adding that the museum will be a year-round attraction in the city that sees a lot of seasonal tourist traffic in the summer.

“This is something that families in our area are sorely lacking and that would benefit the city as well.”

City council members were supportive of the idea and said they would address the proposal at the next city council meeting on Oct. 20.

The museum previously pitched a proposal to be located at Chinook Pier, but the city chose a different developer for that project.