Ada has changed quite a bit over the years.
The village has developed a distinctly different look and feel, particularly around its downtown, where new restaurants, shops, housing and gathering spaces have created a town center that feels a long way from the Ada of a few decades ago.
And yet, right in the middle of it all, the covered bridge remains.
The historic structure is still one of the most recognizable pieces of Ada’s landscape, a bit of the old village surrounded by a community that has steadily evolved around it. Even the relatively new hotel nearby pays tribute to that history.
Now the bridge has 15 new acres of riverfront around it.
Covered Bridge Park officially opened Tuesday, giving Ada a new public space along the Thornapple River with plenty to do — and, perhaps more importantly, plenty of reasons to stick around.
The new park includes a large playground with designated areas for younger and older children, a splash pad, two pickleball courts, a dog park and expansive green space. There are also river overlooks, seating areas, a shade canopy, renovated restrooms and expanded parking.
“This project has always been about creating a central outdoor space for fun, recreation and relaxation that could be enjoyed by the entire community,” said Cheri DeVos, honorary co-chair of Connecting Community. “Being able to have this park alongside the beautiful Thornapple River and the historic Covered Bridge is a wonderful gift that makes this space even more special. I hope this park serves as a memorable gathering place for Ada families and community members for many years to come.”
A new pedestrian bridge also connects the two sides of the park, providing a safer route for people walking and biking. A dedicated veterans’ memorial offers a quieter place for reflection, while the park itself becomes another link in Ada Township’s growing trail network.
The project has been several years in the making. Construction began in September 2025 and wrapped up this month after extensive planning, fundraising and development. The $8.5 million Connecting Community capital campaign helped bring together the public and private support needed to make it happen.
Steve and Amy Van Andel, honorary co-chairs of Connecting Community, said the project shows what can happen when a community gets behind an idea.
“Covered Bridge Park is a wonderful example of what can happen when a community truly values health and well-being, and comes together around a common goal,” said Steve and Amy Van Andel. “We are proud to have supported a project that creates new recreation opportunities for everyone and increases accessibility throughout Ada Village.”
That fundraising effort was about more than adding another playground or patch of green space. The long-standing vision was to improve public access to the Thornapple River, preserve the covered bridge and create a place where people could gather.
And that’s ultimately what Covered Bridge Park adds to Ada: a new place to experience a very old part of town.
The covered bridge remains the centerpiece, but now it’s surrounded by the kinds of amenities that reflect the way people use Ada today — trails, recreation, open space, places for kids to play and somewhere to simply sit near the river.
For a community that has changed as much as Ada has, it’s a pretty natural addition.
And perhaps the best part is that you don’t have to know which Ada you’re looking at. The old one is still right there.
