PARKS & RECREATION

CONCERTS AND MOVIES IN THE PARK

The East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department has announced the lineups for its Concerts and Movies in the Park series presented by The Brouwers Agency, Auto-Owners Insurance and Consumers Credit Union. Free to the community, both series will be held at John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE.

Concerts in the Park will run on six select Monday evenings in June and July from 7-8:30 p.m. This year’s concert lineup is: 

• June 13 – Prior Noon
• June 20 – BN90’s
• June 27 – Coty Bouchard
• July 11 – Whorled
• July 18 – Sleevetones
• July 25 – The Stones Soul Rhythm Band

Movies in the Park will run on four Friday evenings, with each film beginning at dusk. This year’s movie lineup is: 

• June 17 – “Jungle Cruise”
• July 8 – “Despicable Me 3”
• July 22 – “Dora & the Lost City of Gold”
• Aug. 12 – “War Horse”

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets and to arrive early to secure a spot. Barbeques, grilling, open fires or alcohol are not allowed in the park and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Visit eastgr.org/concerts and eastgr.org/movies for more information.

EMMA COLE BOTANICAL INVENTORY

This summer, two faculty members and three students from Calvin University's Emma Cole Project will be performing botanical inventories in some of the parklands within the City. Emma Cole was a renowned botanist from West Michigan who published a 1901 volume entitled, Flora of Grand Rapids: A Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Ferns Growing without Cultivation in the Grand Rapids Vicinity. For six years, Professors Garrett Crow and David Warners have been revisiting the sites that Cole described over 100 years ago to document which species have been lost, which remain, and which species are more recent arrivals. The team plans to conduct their inventory May-September.

The team will be writing up a formal report that will be submitted to the City for public viewing in the fall or winter. If you see the team while walking the trail at Hodenpyl Woods or along the shoreline of Reed's Lake, feel free to say hello and ask them about their study. Learn more about Emma Cole here and here.

PUBLIC WORKS

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

To learn more about street, sidewalk and utility projects and to receive frequent updates, visit the construction updates webpage.

WATER QUALITY CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT

The City of East Grand Rapids is proud to present the annual Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report, which provides important information about drinking water. The City has continued to provide safe, quality water that meets or exceeds requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The report can be accessed here. 

DO NOT FLUSH WIPES

“Flushable” wipes—including adult wipes, cleaning wipes and toddler wipes—are hazardous to our wastewater system. Do not flush wipes, even if the label states otherwise.

Only toilet paper should be flushed down our toilets because it is designed to break down as it travels through the wastewater treatment process. Wipes are not designed to breakdown, thus creating problems within the system. They can cause blockages in your home’s sewer line that could lead to costly plumbing repairs.

FENCES

If you are planning to initiate maintenance, replace or construct a fence, you may need a fence permit. Complete the free fence permit application here.

TREES AND SHRUBS: TRIMMING REMINDER 

City code prohibits trees and shrubs from obstructing public ways and clear vision areas. With spring upon us, residents are asked to ensure their trees and shrubs are clear from impeding over sidewalks. The required height for clearance over sidewalk is 10 feet. Clear vision areas at street corners may not have plant height in excess of 30 inches in 20-foot by 20-foot triangle areas adjacent to street corners. Properly maintaining trees and shrubs adjacent to sidewalks and streets helps keep pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists safe. 

TALL GRASS

City code allows for a maximum height limit of grass at 5 inches.  

BOATS, TRAILERS AND RVs

Outdoor storage of boats, trailers and RVs is allowed for up to 72 hours on streets and driveways. Otherwise, they must be stored indoors or in a rear yard only. They also must be reasonably shielded from view. Not all properties are capable of accommodating such storage, so you may need offsite storage for your recreational unit.

MOBILITY/BIKE ACTION PLAN: DEMONSTRATION AND ENGAGEMENT PILOT

The Department of Public Works will be installing temporary bike route signs and pavement markings for two demonstration engagement pilot project areas on Alexander Road from the west City limit to Plymouth Road and York Drive/Lake Grove Avenue from Berwyck Road to Lake Drive in May-June. Read more about the Mobility Bike Action Plan here.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

REEDS LAKE TRAIL BLAZER 5K RUN/WALK

Kick off your Independence Day celebrations by participating in the Reeds Lake Trail Blazer 5k Run/Walk! All ages can participate in this event. To register, visit: reedslaketrailblazer.com.

When you participate in the Reeds Lake Trail Blazer, you support the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The Foundation helps secure financial support for services, programs and projects that enhance the quality of life for EGR residents and visitors. 

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