Tag Archives: City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation

Wyoming Parks and Recreation hosts public input meetings, continues accepting community feedback

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Interactive boards provided opportunities for residents to show their priorities for the parks system. (WKTV/Deborah Reed)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Over 700 respondents have given feedback on the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department’s five-year master plan, and the department is requesting even more input from the community.

Director of Parks and Recreation Krashawn Martin talked to WKTV about the importance of community feedback regarding the future of Wyoming’s parks (Courtesy, WKTV)

“The park master plan is very important for our long-range visioning for the park system,” said Parks & Recreation Director Krashawn Martin. “We have a beautiful parks system already here in Wyoming, but these opportunities really help us to get community input, which is really the driver of everything that we do.”

Together, the City and engineering firm Fleis & VandenBrink are working to ensure every option is heard. Two public input meetings have been held with plans for more public opinion opportunities still coming.

“This process is meant to give everyone a voice,” said Rick Stout, Registered Landscape Architect of engineering and architecture firm Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering. “We want to hear your thoughts.”

“We really pride ourselves and do our best to be community responsive,” said Martin, adding that the input helps the department know how people are passively using the parks system for recreation, and also the things they would like to actively see in the parks system.

Input from the community is encouraged by the Parks and Rec Department (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The public input sessions provided three interactive boards that parallel the Parks & Rec online survey. The boards listed possible goals, objectives and priority elements.

During the public input sessions, community members were invited to place stickers next to their top three priorities in each section.

“What potential actions in the area of recreation do you see for the City of Wyoming,” Stout asked input session attendees. “What do they really need to focus on?”

How the planning process works

An approved Parks plan must be on file with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) no later than Feb. 1, 2024.

There will be a final public hearing and then approval by the Wyoming City Council based on compiled community feedback. Once approved, the plan will be available for a 30-day review period before submission to the DNR.

The ultimate goal, said Stout, is to have a draft plan finished within the next month and start the public review process early.

Landscape architect Rick Stout (right) explains what kinds of feedback will be helpful for the 5-year master plan (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“Ideally, we would like to get this whole process wrapped up in December so we leave ourselves some room on the back end in case something does come up and it gets delayed,” Stout said.

Though a wide range of feedback has already been received from the public, Stout and Martin urge community members to continue involvement in the planning process.

“There will be multiple opportunities to get some more input as the plan gets developed, but in order for us to develop a draft plan and bounce some of these ideas off the recreation advisory committee, we need your feedback,” said Stout. “That’s why we want to reach out to you right now and make sure there is not an opportunity lost.”

Gaining perspective and meeting needs

Fleis & VandenBrink and the Parks & Rec Department have worked to create both broad and specific goals for the Parks plan. This, Stout said, will help them gain a more accurate perspective of what citizens and the general public want.

Aiming for a well-rounded process, the Parks department also plans to talk to youth at local schools since they are primary users of the parks.

Both broad and specific goals are included in the planning survey (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Many trends revealed from the community are fairly universal to all parks and speak to universal accessibility, featuring facilities that appeal to multiple age groups and a variety of activities.

As the City continues to grow, so does the number of people searching for quality recreational facilities.

“The younger generation wants quality of life,” said Stout. “They have high expectations of what their community has to offer for recreation.”

Recreation options can often be a tipping point in deciding whether individuals and families move into a community.

“Communities are known by their assets. Whether it be parks or public spaces or where people have a chance to socially interact, those things are key,” said Stout. “Those really define a community.”

Stout believes the City of Wyoming has made great efforts in defining a sense of place and striving to create those assets.

“I think the next 20 years are going to be really exciting for the City of Wyoming,” said Stout. “It’s a very diverse community, and it really wants to make sure it’s meeting the needs of everyone.”

How to submit feedback

The parks online survey is still available to receive feedback (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department)

The online survey will continue to be open throughout the planning process and can be found on the City of Wyoming website and social media page.

Martin urges those unable to attend a meeting in person to fill out the online survey.

“We’re just excited to hear from the people,” said Martin. “Not just in this process, but anytime. We are always open to ideas for improvements or recreation programs that our community would like to see in the future.”

City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department seeks residents’ input on park facilities

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The City of Wyoming Marquette Park playground. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

With 700 acres of park property distributed among 21 parks within the City of Wyoming, developing and maintaining facilities and programs has always been a high priority for the Parks and Recreation Department.

As they look to update their five-year master plan, the Parks and Recreation Department is inviting residents, business owners and community members to provide input on the vision of its future.

Sunshine peeks through the trees at a City of Wyoming park

The master plan, which will be used to guide growth and development in the park system will be shaped by community input. The feedback received will help the department prioritize where and how to make investments in parks, facilities and programs.


Residents and business owners are being encouraged to share their thoughts through an online survey, in English and Spanish, designed to allow users to share areas where they feel there are opportunities for growth, improvement or areas that they enjoy within the City.

“We are excited to hear from the community as they help us shape the future of our parks and programs,” Director of Parks & Recreation Krashawn Martin said. “The plan will consider long-range goals for our community as well as recommended actions to guide updates and land use for the future.”


Residents interested in participating in the survey may do so online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WyomingParks or in person at Wyoming City Hall and the Wyoming
Branch of Kent District Library. The survey closes on Aug. 31.

Wyoming Parks & Recreation will soon announce community meetings as part of the process of updating
its master plan. Visit www.wyomingmi.gov for more information.

To learn more about the City of Wyoming parks, visit: City of Wyoming Parks.

Kentwood, Kent County seeking local help with ‘Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz’ biodiversity effort

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Education, Environment, Going Local, Health, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, , ,
An image of the camera app in use, from iNaturalist promotional material. (iNaturalist)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is joining with the Kent Conservation District and Kent County Parks to promote a “BioBlitz” program, an effort to record as many species of flowering plants and pollinating insects as possible in Kent County within a two-week period.
 

Kentwood and Wyoming community members are invited to help in the effort as part of a “Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz” program, running June 21 to July 6 in conjunction with National Pollinator Week, June 21-27.

To participate in the “Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz” program, community members can download the iNaturalist app on their smartphones and join the “Parks for Pollinators – Kent County, Michigan” project to record and report plant and pollinator species they see. The app will help users identify their findings.

For an introduction to the program, watch a video here.

“Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz” seeks community participation to observe and record pollinators such as butterflies, bees and other insects, as well as flowering plants — “Together, the community will create a snapshot of the variety of plants and pollinator species found in Kent County,” according to promotional material for the program.

Kristina Colby, Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department program coordinator hopes the program will “encourage residents to spend time outdoors visiting new parks” while looking for pollinators.

Kentwood will host an event associated with the program on Saturday, June 26, at 1 p.m., with a free guided naturalist hike with West Michigan Butterfly Association at Kentwood’s Northeast Park, 1900 Middleground Drive SE.

“We’re delighted to host the guided naturalist hike right here in Kentwood in partnership with the West Michigan Butterfly Association,” Colby said in supplied material. “Butterflies in particular are most active in the middle of the day when the sun is shining, so it is sure to be a successful outing for observing and recording these beautiful local pollinators, as well as other species.”

Several other events will occur during the program to help participants increase their knowledge of pollinators and their impact on the natural environment. At the BioBlitz’s conclusion, program organizers will present information about the recorded species and pollinators, as well as award several pollinator posters to participants including the youngest naturalist and the one who identifies the most species.

The program kicked off June 18 with an online meet and greet with Kent Conservation District and Kentwood Parks and Recreation staff to learn more about how the “BioBlitz” program and iNaturalist app work.

Other outdoor events planned as part of the program include:
 

Wednesday, June 30, at 6 p.m., a free prairie walk in a wildflower and pollinator habitat on a converted family farm at 4790 Peach Ridge Ave. NW in Sparta with local landowner Persephone Rana.

Monday, July 5, at 9 a.m., a butterfly count with the West Michigan Butterfly Association at Rogue River State Game Area, 13747 Krauskopf Road NE, Sparta, MI 49345. The cost is $3 per person.

“Through this program, we hope to help Kent County residents become more familiar with native bees and butterflies and the environments they prefer,”Jessie Schulte, Kent Conservation District Manager, said in supplied material. “The project also will help us answer the important question, ‘Do we need more habitat?’”

More about the project is available at iNaturalist.org. Interested participants can contact Kent Conservation District Manager Jessie Schulte with questions at jessie.schulte@macd.org or 616-222-5801.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you ought to know — weekend edition

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By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“If people did not love one another, I really don’t see what use there would be in having any spring.”

― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Spring forward!

Yup, it’s time to change your clocks this weekend.

Spring is right around the corner. Really, it is, and the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department points to its Spring Activities Calendar as proof. Check out all the fun things you can do here.

The best things in life are free

The Grand Rapids Public Museum offers free admission March 10.


The Grand Rapids Public Museum offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats, that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan. More info here.



Live and let live

That’s it, in a nutshell.

Domestic violence abuse attorney Kinza Khan

A presentation on Monday, March 11 at Grand Valley State University will explore the importance of encouraging young people to grow in their interfaith understanding in order to become positive religious leaders of the 21st century. Kinza Khan, a domestic violence attorney, will be the featured speaker during the 2019 Rabbi Phillip Sigal Memorial Lecture. More info here.



Fun fact:

85%

The percentage reduction in the number of children named ‘Katrina’ after Hurricane Katrina.

City of Wyoming hosts annual Candy Cane Hunt Dec. 8

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Candy Cane Hunt

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

Linus had his “Great Pumpkin” patch, the City of Wyoming has the Great Candy Cane Hunt, which is set for Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop SW.

 

Children ages 3-14 are invited to hunt for the many hidden candy canes outside. Then everyone will head indoors for games, a craft project, and lunch with the man of the season, Santa. Children will have to the opportunity to meet with Santa and give them their holiday wish list. 

 

Pre-registration is required for the event. It is $5 for residents, $7 for non-residents, and $2 parents and others. 

 

To register click, here. For questions call 616-530-3164 or email parks_info@wyoming.gov.

City of Wyoming Hosts 15th Annual Pumpkin Path

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The Wizard of Oz takes us all back in time!

By Krashawn Martin

City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation

 

It’s time to get the kids together and pull out your favorite costumes because Pumpkin Path is right around the corner!

 

The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is excited to once again host the 15th annual Pumpkin Path – a free event for kids and families on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. Local businesses, clubs and organizations will host spaces along the path and will hand out candy, coupons and other goodies.

 

About 6,000 children, parents, and grandparents attended the Wyoming Pumpkin Path last year.

“Pumpkin Path was created to be a fun, safe, family-friendly event for the fall, providing an alternative to traditional Halloween events,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services for the City of Wyoming.  “Pumpkin Path gives families the perfect opportunity to interact with neighborhood businesses while enjoying the outdoors, Lamar Park and the beauty of the fall season.”

 

Not only should children expect to receive treats, they should also look forward to a DJ and dancing, jumping in the bounce house and games. Participants are welcome to come in costume or in regular clothes.

 

In previous years, Pumpkin Path has welcomed over 65 local businesses and organizations, and more than 6,000 children, parents, grandparents and friends.

Wyoming Health and Wellness Expo on April 21 free for all ages

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events,

By City of Wyoming

 

Spring is here and it’s time to focus on health and wellness in the City of Wyoming!

 

The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is excited to once again host the annual Health and Wellness Expo at the Wyoming Senior Center — a free event for all ages on Saturday, April 21 at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 De Hoop Ave SW. The event will be held from 1-3 pm. Local health organizations will be represented sharing services and local resources with community members.

 

“Spring is a great time to focus on health and wellness as the weather warms and outdoor activities begin”, said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services for the City of Wyoming. “This community event is a great way to connect the community with local resources focused on health and overall well-being. The Health and Wellness Expo gives everyone an opportunity to sample, explore and try something new.”

 

The Expo will feature free blood pressure checks from lead sponsor Med Express Urgent Care in Wyoming, yoga and Zumba demonstrations. There will also be a variety of vendors providing great resources and personalized interaction. There will be many samples and giveaway prizes for participants.

 

About Wyoming Parks and Recreation

The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is committed to creating community through people, parks and programs by providing services, facilities and activities for the citizens of Wyoming and the greater metropolitan area. For more information about Parks and Recreation programs and events please contact the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616.530.3164 or parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or visit our web site at: www.wyomingmi.gov.