Roosevelt Park is a small city with a suburban feel in Muskegon County
Between Muskegon and Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park is a 1-square-mile city with a suburban residential environment next to a busy commercial corridor. "It's a small, friendly community," says Daniel Baglien, an associate broker with Five Star Professionals, who has been selling in Muskegon County for more than 30 years. "They have their own police force, and it's very rare to hear of any crime happening there." A park at the city's center serves as the focal point for outdoor recreation and community events, such as Roosevelt Park Day. Single-family homes surround it, and while they all have Muskegon addresses, they're zoned to the highly sought-after Mona Shores Public Schools system in Norton Shores.
A majority of ranch-style homes with others blended in
Most houses in Roosevelt Park were built between the 1940s and '80s on side-by-side lots just under a quarter of an acre. Ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and Tudor-inspired cottages are the most common. However, some bi-levels and Colonial Revivals can be found mixed in. Many of these homes have built-in garages, except for the Cape Cods and cottages, which typically feature driveways that lead to a detached garage in the back. Houses range from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet with prices between $150,000 and $350,000.
Big retailers and local restaurants on Henry Street
Residents head to Henry Street on the east side of Roosevelt Park to shop and dine out. The main road has several big-box retailers, including Walmart, Meijer, Aldi and Home Depot. Many of the restaurants are national brands, but there are some local spots as well. Brunch House serves flights of mimosas and plates of specialty pancakes, such as blueberry streusel. Locals also enjoy Russ', a Muskegon-area chain serving homestyle breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1934. Meanwhile, Pints & Quarts offers pub food and craft cocktails, such as the Peanut Butter & Jelly Sour and Macadamia Nut Old Fashioned. Perhaps the most unusual dining experience is offered at The Station Grill, a burger and wings joint set up in a 1940s gas station.
Youth baseball and outdoor recreation at Roosevelt Community Center
The Roosevelt Community Center is right in the middle of the neighborhood, which the most recent Census indicated had about 4,100 residents. Some people live right next to it, while most others are no more than a half mile away. The community center is split by Roosevelt Road with Delmar Playfields on the west side, featuring three ball fields used by Roosevelt Park Youth Athletics. On the east side of Roosevelt Road, the community center offers a nearly 4-acre space with pickleball courts, a playground and a gazebo with picnic tables and a charcoal grill. Those heading to the community center will likely pass one of the city's eight pocket parks, each with a playground.
Mona Shores High ranked the best in Muskegon County
Through the Mona Shores Schools of Choice program, parents can apply to have their children attend an elementary school of their choosing. Those who are not accepted or do not apply are zoned to Campbell Elementary, which earns a B grade from Niche. Students from all elementary schools go on to Mona Shores Middle, graded a B-plus. Mona Shores High earns an A and is ranked the best public high school in Muskegon County. According to GreatSchools, the high school is rated above average regarding college readiness.
Locals look forward to Roosevelt Park Day
The city hosts Roosevelt Park Day every Saturday after Labor Day, drawing a large crowd to the Roosevelt Community Center. People gather for a parade, an art fair and events that last all night. "It's just fun watching the parade and talking to friends you may have not seen in a while," says Baglien. "We'll head over to the beer tent and watch the bands. It's a good time." Other events put on by the city include an Easter egg scramble and a city-wide garage sale.
A 4-mile drive to downtown Muskegon from U.S. Business 31
U.S. Business 31 runs on the east side of Roosevelt Park, taking drivers north and south through Muskegon County. The highway leads 4 miles north to downtown Muskegon and 6 miles south to Interstate 96 and Muskegon County Airport. Flyers can take Southern Airways Express to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, though the carrier's single propeller-powered airplanes take more than 90 minutes to complete the trip, according to flight data. A new, jet-based airline is awaiting federal approval under the Essential Air Service program to take over the route, cutting flight time to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, for some coastal fun, it's a 5-mile drive to Pere Marquette Park, a large beach off of Lake Michigan.
