Butler Playfield

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Butler Playfield is a public park located in the state of Michigan, known for its recreational activities and gorgeous natural scenery.


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Summary

The park is situated in the city of Grand Rapids and is surrounded by residential neighborhoods, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

Visitors to Butler Playfield can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, picnicking, and playing sports. The park features several sports fields, including a soccer field, baseball diamond, and basketball court. There are also playgrounds for children and a pavilion available for rent for events and gatherings.

Specific points of interest in Butler Playfield include the beautiful natural surroundings, which include wooded areas, streams, and ponds. The park is home to several species of birds and wildlife, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.

Interesting facts about Butler Playfield include its history as a former golf course that was converted into a public park in the 1930s. The park is named after Harold Butler, a local businessman who donated the land to the city.

The best time of year to visit Butler Playfield depends on personal preferences and activities. Summer is the peak season, with warm weather and plenty of outdoor activities. However, fall foliage makes for a breathtaking view, and winter activities such as snowshoeing and ice skating are available during the colder months. Overall, Butler Playfield is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a serene outdoor experience in Michigan.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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