Playground Heights
Walkable and connected
Median $375K·Walkability 6.2/10·Schools 4.0/10
Mornings here move differently—you're eight minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, but the 19-acre subdivision feels removed from the rush, with tree-lined streets and modest lots that average just over a quarter-acre. Garfield Park surrounds you: Burton Woods Park sits a three-minute walk away, and within a mile you'll find a dozen parks scattered across the neighborhood. The dining scene is immediate—a seven-minute walk to restaurants, and over 60 within a mile, many of them the taquerias and Latin grocers that define the area's food culture. Transit access is solid (four minutes to the nearest stop), so you don't need a car for everything, though having one matters. Homes here run around $428K and move fast in this market. Grand Rapids Public Schools serves the area, and Gerald R. Ford Airport is just under 20 minutes away if you travel regularly.
Why people love it here
Very walkable
- Burton Woods Park: 5 min walk
- 17 places within a 10 min walk
$375K median
- 1 recent sale
Park-rich area
- 60 parks within 1 mile
- Burton Woods Park: 5 min walk
- Garfield Park: 8 min walk
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Playground Heights
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,546/mo
Property tax and insurance are estimates you can edit — not a quote. Tap either figure to enter your own.
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction.
Walkability
Good
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Bedollas
+1 more
Mi Tierra Restaurant
+1 more
Mi Cultura Cafe
+1 more
Log Cabin
+1 more
Burton Woods Park
Unnamed playground
Battjes Lake
Unnamed beach
Plaster Creek Trail
Wyoming Dog Park Dog Park
Butterworth Park Launch
Planet Fitness
Burton/Jefferson (EB)
+1 more
Walgreens
Seymour Library
+1 more
Kelloggsville Early Childhood Learning Center
Celebration Cinema Studio Park
Recent Sale Price
$375K
1 recent sale
Parcels / Units
65
Median Lot Size
0.20 ac
0.17 ac – 0.61 ac
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Burton Woods Park
0.1 mi
Parks Nearby
60
within 1 mile
Based on 24 rated schools nearby
Range: 1/10 to 8/10
School District: Grand Rapids Public Schools
Crime in Playground Heights is reported at the city level, not the neighborhood level. The FBI doesn't publish reliable crime rates for individual neighborhoods, and within any community crime varies street to street. For an accurate, comparable picture, see the jurisdiction-wide figures for Kent County.
Kent County crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Playground Heights home (around $375,000) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $67k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $2,494 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $2,494/mo | $66,513 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,872/mo | $76,577 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,998/mo | $79,942 |
Estimates use a 6.49% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not a commitment to lend, and not an APR — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Association and local-government details are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and state registries, and can change. Confirm directly with the association or municipality before relying on them.
Solar potential
~$884/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,451 kWh/yr · offsets ~61% of a typical home's use
City of Grand Rapids Water System
Regional water provider serving ~280,000 across Kent and Ottawa counties.
City of Grand Rapids Environmental Services (Water Resource Recovery Facility)
WRRF treats ~40 MGD of wastewater.
City of Grand Rapids Refuse & Recycling
City-run refuse/recycling cart program for residents.
Consumers Energy Co · ~13.7¢/kWh
Investor-owned utility serving the region.
Confirm by addressDTE Energy
DTE Gas serves much of Grand Rapids natural gas; verify by address.
Confirm by addressServices for Grand Rapids · Source: grandrapidsmi.gov
Utility, solar, and service details for Playground Heights are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
🛒 Grocery(30)
Bedollas
Grocery Store
La Placita
Grocery Store
Sin Fronteras Supermarket
Grocery Store
+27 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(20)
Mi Tierra Restaurant
Restaurant
4 Brothers Chicken & Fish
Restaurant
Restaurante Cancún El Pifas
Restaurant
Las Rocas Postres y Taqueria
Restaurant
Tacos El Veracruz
Restaurant
+15 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(20)
+17 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(21)
+18 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(25)
Saint Francis Xavier School
Dickinson School
Burton School
School
+20 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(13)
Fitness Center
8th Day Gym
Fitness Center
Fitness Center
+10 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(6)
Wyoming Dog Park Dog Park
Dog Park
Dog Park in Kragt Plat Area
Dog Park
Hillcrest Dog Park
Dog Park
+3 more within 5 miles
⛵ Boat Launches(1)
Boat Launch
🚌 Transit(30)
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
+27 more within 5 miles
💊 Pharmacies(13)
+10 more within 5 miles
👶 Childcare(3)
🏥 Hospitals(4)
+1 more within 5 miles
📚 Libraries(13)
+10 more within 5 miles
Frequently asked about Playground Heights
- What do homes cost in Playground Heights?
- The median home value in Playground Heights is about $375,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Playground Heights housing market?
- there is 1 home for sale in Playground Heights right now, and 1 home sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Playground Heights?
- Playground Heights is served by Grand Rapids Public Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is City MiddleHigh (8/10).
- Is Playground Heights walkable?
- Playground Heights scores 6.2/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.