GRAND RAPIDS, MI – They say life is like a game of chess, and that might be particularly true for those who stroll through downtown Grand Rapids from now on.
A giant chess set was rolled out Thursday in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center St. NW.
The game comes courtesy of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. to offer new recreational opportunities, said Kris Larson, president and CEO of the agency.
It was fairly popular with the about 40 students from the Believe 2 Become program who clamored around the giant chess set for its inaugural games.
Believe 2 Become is a summer program focused on continued learning hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Douglas and Maria DeVos Family Foundation.
Throughout the games, many program participants excitedly consulted their peers, as well as former City Commissioner James B. White.
The chess aficionado recently gave his first of several lessons to the students.
White said the game teaches life lessons, such as planning – just one of many benefits for those who head downtown to play, students said.
“It’s a thinking game and a nice experience for kids to have fun outside,” said University Preparatory Academy student Michael Lee, 15, after finishing the first game.
Lee said the game offers a positive activity for youth, and he hopes to return to play sometime.
The chess set will be rolled out every day during park hours, beginning at about 8 a.m., Larson said.
Larson said the game might be made available through winter, thanks to the sidewalk snowmelt system, if people wish to play.
For those that don’t know the game, signs describing the different pieces were available.
The relatively low-cost project was worthwhile to see the program participants enjoying a new activity downtown, Larson said.
The chess set is just one urban recreation project Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. has been working on, Larson said. Up next, the group is hoping to offer a permanent 5K course for next spring.
For now, Ottawa Hills High School student Kolbe Turner, 15, said the newest recreational option is a positive addition to downtown.
He said the game offers another activity to help kids “stay out of trouble” and creates an opportunity to explore the downtown area.
“It makes the community better,” said Turner.