Location: Between Grand Traverse Street and Chevrolet Avenue along the banks of the Flint River.

History: Once a bustling industrial site known as "Chevy in the Hole," Chevy Commons is now a 67-acre park unit located on the Flint River just a few blocks from downtown Flint. The site, which was established in the 1930s as one of General Motors’ four major production facilities in Flint, once featured 17 buildings and, at its peak, 8,000 workers. After plant closings and building demolition started in the 1990s, most of the site was paved with asphalt to minimize the movement of residual contamination.

A Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund Grant facilitated the city of Flint's acquisition of the land, which was then transferred to the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission for development into the beautiful park it is today. You'll now find a peaceful escape along the river with a network of nonmotorized trails winding through low-maintenance native landscaping.

What’s to come: The new state park plan includes the addition of a new signature play garden on the east end of Chevy Commons where the Swartz Creek drains into the Flint River (with Atwood Stadium in the background), new connections between the adjacent neighborhoods and other nearby institutions, and more low-maintenance plantings and ecologically beneficial installations. Public input sessions for the play garden will be announced soon.

Genesee County deeded this park unit to the Michigan DNR as part of the new state park.

Location: Along the Flint River between Harrison and Grand Traverse streets.

History: Completed in early 1980s as part of a flood control project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the existing Riverbank Park was designed by renowned landscape architect Lawrence Halprin. The complex design scheme created a series of six separate block parks that included an amphitheater, a grand fountain and the Archimedes’ screw that drew water from the river into the park’s system of canals, fountains and waterfalls. This intricate design created long-term challenges, including concerns related to public safety and maintenance.

What’s to come: The new state park plan includes an improved waterfront at Riverbank Park, transformed by enhanced physical and visual access to the river. Plans include new access points to the Flint River, constructing accessible pathways and installing a new lighting network along all six blocks. Additional work includes restoring the fountains in the Grand Fountain and Waterwall blocks and upgrading the amphitheater and public restrooms.

The City of Flint has leased this property to the State of Michigan for purposes of creating a state park.

Location: Along the banks of the Flint River between Nolen Drive and Ballenger Highway.

History: Formerly Mott Park Golf Course, Mott Park Recreation Area was reinvented by the adjacent neighborhood after the golf course closed in 2010. The 72-acre park includes a disc golf course, improved kayak access to the Flint River and a renovated clubhouse.

What’s to come: The plan includes a connector trail to Chevy Commons. This new section of trail is still being developed.

The City of Flint has leased this property to the State of Michigan for purposes of creating a state park. The Mott Park Recreation Association has been improving and maintaining the park for more than a decade and currently has an agreement with the city of Flint to operate the clubhouse. This agreement will remain valid, and the Mott Park Recreation Association will continue to operate the clubhouse.

Location: East of Hammerberg Road and north of I-69 on the banks of the Swartz Creek.

History: Long known as one of Flint’s unique nature areas, the 39-acre property features a natural-surface trail that hugs the river.

What’s to come: The new state park plan includes the extension of a connector trail between Happy Hollow and Chevy Commons via the Grand Traverse Greenway Trail, as well as upgrades to the existing nonmotorized pathway, road and natural surface trail.

This park unit has been transferred from a private owner to the State of Michigan for purposes of creating a state park.

Location: Located on the bank of the Flint River just downstream of Hamilton Avenue Bridge at James P. Cole Boulevard.

History: The 7-acre park features a boating access site, picnic tables and open space. It’s historically been underutilized and its amenities are outdated and in disrepair.

What’s to come: The new state park plan includes construction of a new pavilion and public toilets, improving the boating access site and providing accessible river access. Additionally, the existing sidewalk on the east side of James P. Cole Boulevard will be transformed into a new trail that will run along the west side of the Flint River to Riverbank Park.

The City of Flint has leased this property to the State of Michigan for purposes of creating a state park.

Flint River restoration

The Flint River will undergo a major transformation. The project will remove the remaining Hamilton and Fabri dam structures and replace them with natural-looking riffles (or clusters of boulders along the river’s edge) in six key locations. These riffles mimic rapids and will control water levels without harming the environment or causing floods nearby. Once completed, the work will restore contiguous access to the Flint River that has been absent for more than a century. This work will boost fish passage and paddling routes.

Originally built in 1920 for the logging industry, the dams have been a threat to public safety in recent years and classified as “high hazard critical dams” by the State of Michigan. In 2018, the “superstructure” of the Hamilton Dam was removed.

Other updates

New landscaping, nonmotorized connector trails, lighting, sight lines and safety features will be integrated throughout the five park units.