A new park in Midland is now open in an area that was damaged by the 2020 flood

A new park designed to attract people of all ages and promote good health is now open in Midland.

The Rogers Family Wellness Park – located at 3611 N. Saginaw Rd. –  was an opportunity grown from the result of flood damage to the building that occupied that location. That building was demolished after the flood that occurred two years ago.

O’Keefe says a task force made of MyMichigan employees representing all groups designed the park.
The park was made possible with the financial support of several donors including  MyMichigan Health and a $10,000 donation received from the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational's daily charity program. 

MyMichigan Health Foundation Executive Director Denise O’Keefe says after the former medical center building was demolished, the park design was dreamed up for kids of all ages to stay active, and for adults to enjoy walking trails.

“We want to be able to support families of all ages, have it be free and open to everyone. Dogs are allowed, but they have to be on a leash and pet messes have to be cleaned up. There are restroom facilities as well,” she adds. 

O’Keefe says a task force made of MyMichigan employees representing all groups designed the park. “The goal was to create a healthy community that supports everyone and that everyone can use.”
The park is located at 3611 N. Saginaw Road in Midland.
O’Keefe shares that the park’s name, Rogers Family,  was chosen to honor the commitment the Rogers Family has made to the community. Specifically, Greg Rogers, CEO of MyMichigan, has dedicated his career to the organization. The family donated toward the cost of the park.

O’Keefe is proud of what those involved have achieved. “Families are important [to MyMichigan]. It is a gift from us to the community. It’s been two years in the making. After the flood, we developed the plan and raised the funds,” says O’Keefe. She adds that the park officially opened a few weeks ago and that there has been “constant traffic ever since” and that it has been “filled with people.”
The park occupies a space once occupied by a medical office building.
The park has something for everyone including basketball courts, a paved walking area, a mulch/wood chip path, play structures/playscapes and a natural area.

“We are just absolutely thrilled with how it turned out,” says O’Keefe. The park is open from dawn until dusk.

 
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Read more articles by Erika M. Hirschman.

A veteran freelance writer and former reporter with The Midland Daily News, Erika has covered a wide array of topics in and around Midland and Saginaw counties. She’s an award winning reporter, and holds a journalism degree from the University of Detroit-Mercy/Marygrove College. When Erika is not writing, she enjoys dancing in her kitchen with her two dogs and family. She loves to read, cook, travel and go to concerts. She’s lived in Saginaw County for 26 years.