To date 168 acres have been acquired for this purpose. A metropolitan system of large parks connected by boulevards throughout the area now outside the limits but contiguous to the city is being developed, providing for future annexations. An organization of business men, the Park and Boulevard association, has aided in developing the system of boulevards. The story of how the city acquired all the parks and playgrounds is not attempted here. The municipality conducts 17 supervised playgrounds and eleven guarded swimming pools during the summer.
Swimming is taught in all public pools, to persons of all ages.
Etten, William J., A Citizens' History of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Published by A. P. Johnson for the Campau Centennial Committee, 1926.