GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Seven landscape islands stretching along about a mile of Plainfield Avenue NE in Grand Rapids are getting makeovers, including one north of Ann Street that had been filled with trash and weeds.
Crews in recent weeks removed trash and added mulch to the areas, which are called bioretention islands. They were constructed 14 years ago along Plainfield, roughly from Leonard Street to north of Ann Street.
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The one north of Ann Street was in need of the most help, having been filled with trash, weeds and the occasional car in recent years.
A median island on Plainfield Avenue NE in the Creston neighborhood. (Aug. 17, 2026)
A local company called Native Edge was hired to put native plants in the island. Some of the preparation work required a stretch of Plainfield to be closed to traffic.
“Many of these bioretention islands maybe had too many plantings,” said Gregg Hampshire with the Creston Corridor Improvement Authority. “We’re trying to focus on a bit more simplified, well designed and rightsized plantings.”
The plant list is still being finalized, but officials with Native Edge said it will consist of native perennials that are robust and can tolerate tough urban conditions.
City Engineer Cindy Irving said vegetation on the Ann Street island had gotten out of hand.
“So we came in and removed these invasive species to give it a fresh pallet,” Irving said. “We also did some minor repairs structurally. After 14 years, it needs a little touchup.”
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The islands serve a dual purpose: to slow traffic and to filter storm water, Irving said.
“This allows us to treat stormwater in place,” she said. “It allows the plants to filter and clean the stormwater.”
And the medians “make the lanes feel narrower, helps slow down drivers — helps keep them alert and aware,” she said.
Hampshire said the islands are an asset along the Plainfield corridor.
“Part of traffic calming isn’t just slowing people down to drive safer, but also to better explore their environment and see some of the great businesses we have in this corridor,” he said.
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