Reimagining Tassell Park

This project was initially titled Former Tuffy Muffler & Auto Services Site, but has now been incorporated into the larger Tassell Park project.

Location: 6896 Cascade Rd SE
Estimated Completion: TDB
Funding Source: Cascade Downtown Development Authority (DDA) purchase and a state grant to buy out the remaining property lease from Tuffy Mufflers.
 

The Township met with Troyer Group the week of September 22, 2025 kickoff the project and hopes to have a new design concept to share with the public in the near future. Once it is available, it will be posted on this page. 

Project Overview

The Cascade community has an exciting project in the works—a transformation of our beloved Tassell Park.  This revitalization effort aims to celebrate the natural beauty of the Thornapple River while enhancing connectivity, recreation, and enrichment opportunities for the community. A key element of the plan involves repurposing the former Tuffy site, which will be converted into a vibrant public space. Highlights include:

  • Improved Safety: The redesigned space will make the busy intersection more pedestrian- and biker-friendly.
  • Community Hub Potential: Plans are under consideration for multi-purpose spaces designed to enhance resident engagement and use.

This project is the first phase of a larger vision for Tassell Park and the surrounding area, which includes the integration of nearby properties into a unified and inviting public space. OHM Advisors created the first draft and renderings of the overall Village Reimagined plan. On August 19, 2025, Cascade's Downtown Development Authority approved a contract with Troyer Group to pick up design and implementation where OHM left off. 

Background

The plan for Tassell Park was crafted by the team at OHM Advisors, an architecture and planning firm contracted by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Township. Drawing from the Township's strategic plan and extensive community feedback, OHM developed a concept that celebrates the natural beauty of the area while fostering greater connection, recreation, and enrichment for residents of all ages.

Given its prime location near the Thornapple River and the village area, the former Tuffy site has long been identified as an opportunity to enhance Cascade's public spaces. This project, alongside improvements to Tassell Park and the former doctor’s office site, aims to create a cohesive and inviting public use area for residents and visitors alike.

Cascade Township would like to thank Tuffy owner Jay Farlin, store manager Bobby Ihm, and their employees for 27 years of excellent service to the community at this location.

Photos & Renderings

For the most comprehensive overview, watch the October 17, 2024, Board of Trustees Work Session, where OHM Advisors provided a detailed walkthrough of their draft plan.
  • To view the full OHM concept presentation as a PDF, including the concepts for the Village Reimagined, click here. 
  • To view a digital rendering walkthrough of this concept, click here.
  • This is a draft and not the final concept.  Troyer Group will be using the core themes and ideologies of the draft to create a final project plan that aligns with the community's vision, all while staying true to the Township Master Plan.
Tuffy-Team-for-Tuffy-pg3.jpgGraceAricTuffy-Team2.png
Left: Supervisor Grace Lesperance with the Tuffy Muffler crew. Right: Supervisor Lesperance with Township Engineer Aric Thorne. December 2023.

Tuffy-Demo-01-(1).jpg
Demolition began in January 2025 to make way for a public use space.