Tag Archives: outdoors

Outdoor Explorers program gets kids outside examining nature

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Kids Activities, Recreation, West Michigan, , ,
(WKTV/Deborah Reed)



By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributor


Designed to spark a love of science and biology in children, the new Kentwood Parks and Recreation Outdoor Explorers program offers a nature-focused curriculum.

Basic survival skills, plant identification, campfire safety and cooking are just some of the activities taught in the program.

“Our goal is to get kids outside and exploring nature,” said Cassie Wielard, Outdoor Explorers program leader.

Outdoor Explorers Leader Cassie Wielard prepares the group for their adventure in Covenant Park. (WKTV/Deborah Reed)



Designed for children ages 6-12, the Outdoor Explorers meet Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. primarily within Covenant Park. The program offers many of the same skills and experiences kids may find through a scouting program, but with much greater flexibility.

Focused on the five senses

Outdoor Explorers often focuses on the five senses, encouraging participants to investigate various textures of plants and other aspects of their surroundings through touch, exploring scent as they smell flowers and campfire smoke, and tasting s’mores and other treats.

Leader Cassie Wielard shows the Explorers goldenrod on a walk in Covenant Park. (WKTV/Deborah Reed)



The purpose, Wielard said, is to give children “experiences that maybe not every kid gets to have outside in nature.”

Along with experiencing nature, instilling a respect for the environment also is a central principal of Outdoor Explorers.

“This feels like an extension of things that I love to do, and it’s been really fun,” said Wielard, who has a background in elementary education.

Covenant Park has three color-coded trails located just outside the clubhouse, each offering approximately one mile of natural space to explore. The park also offers an optional “Hide and Seek” activity for each trail along with maps to help guide explorers.

Rain, no worries

Less than ideal weather doesn’t hinder the young explorers from trekking through the park.

“The rain doesn’t faze them,” Wielard said. “To them, it’s fun.”

If a planned activity is not possible due to weather, Wielard and her volunteers easily improvise and ensure explorers are still learning and having fun.

“Last week it was raining, so s’mores were microwaved,” Wielard said.



Outdoor Explorer Kristofer shows off a bat he made with sticks and bark. (WKTV/Deborah Reed)



Simple crafts offered during each class highlight animals and other aspects of the environment. From building bird feeders, to creating owls and bats out of sticks and bark, participants are treated to a lesson about animals and the natural materials used in their creations.

Looking for winter Explorers

Even though the fall Explorers program has wrapped up, plans are already in motion for a winter session with dates and activities in development stages.

“We are hoping to explore Covenant Park in all the seasons,” Wielard said. “Signs of nature (such as animal tracks) should be obvious with snow on the ground. And, of course, snow opens up a lot of opportunities for activities.”

The winter session is seeking participants for early 2023. To find out more about the program and its benefits, contact the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department.

D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author

‘Take Me to the ballpark’ for live theater

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, , ,
The LMCU Ballpark will be transformed into a stage for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. (Public Domain)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre will again collaborate with LMCU Ballpark to host live theater at the ballpark in August. Broadway at the Ballpark is scheduled for Aug. 27 and 28 with shows at 7 p.m. each night.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre back to the ballpark this year,” said Dan Morrison, VP of Sales for the West Michigan Whitecaps. “This event will once again provide an opportunity for guests to get an up-close look at our field and will offer amazing entertainment for baseball and theatre fans alike.”

 

The 2021 event will feature world-class entertainment and bigger and better entertainment experiences for all ages. The concert will feature Broadway favorites performed by Civic Theatre actors. This year, the event will also include more musical numbers, greater seating capacity, and an expanded selection of food and beverage, including beer and wine.

 

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth aged 3-15. Children 3 and under are free. Guests will bring their own chairs be seated in the outfield of LMCU Ballpark. Gates will open at 5:30 pm, and a special performance from the cast of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of the musical Once will take place from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Tickets go on sale July 7th and will be available online and at the LMCU Ballpark box office.

 

Civic Theatre is returning to regular live performance after the pandemic closed their doors for nearly 18 months. As the company prepares for its 2020-2021 season in September, Civic Theatre returns to the ballpark for another outdoor show.

“After what’s been a very challenging year, we are so excited to return to LMCU Ballpark again in 2021,” said Ben Greene, Director of Marketing and Engagement for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. “With fewer pandemic restrictions in place, we are planning to make this experience even more enjoyable for our guests this year.”

 

“Broadway at the Ballpark”was born after both Civic Theatre and the West Michigan Whitecaps were forced to cancel regular programming in 2020 due to the pandemic. The inaugural event was a hit among guests, and both parties agreed to host the event again in 2021.

VIP packages will be available for purchase for the event for $150. The packages include a table for up to four guests, early entry, VIP parking, and an all-you-can-eat meal plan in the General RV Campground.

“We are always looking for ways to strengthen our community partnerships and offer unique and fun experiences in West Michigan,” Morrison added. “We hope that even more families choose to make ‘Broadway at the Ballpark’ a part of their summer plans this year.” 

Snapshots: Things to do this weekend

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.

J.K. Rowling


By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Park Party

The new playground at Jackson Park. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

This Saturday, the City of Wyoming will be hosting a reopening event for Jackson Park, located at 1331 33rd St. SW, right next to the Wyoming Intermediate School. The event will start at 10 a.m. and include the official opening of the park’s new splash pad. The park has a new playground, shelter area, bathrooms, and parking lot. Also taking place will be a free yoga class at 11:15 a.m.

Festival Returns

Festival of the Arts will be a little different this year.

The first weekend in June has always meant Festival of the Arts, which has returned this summer albeit a little different. Because of uncertainty in social distancing guidelines, the organization is offering Plein Air and performances this weekend. Artists will be out Friday, Saturday and Sunday with musicians performing on Saturday only on Monroe Center and Ottawa Avenue. Saturday is scheduled to be a beautiful day to walk around downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday and Sunday to soak it all in. Oh, and if you are out on Saturday, we recommend Total Eclipse of the Harp featuring Emily Smith, who will perform at 10 a.m., 3 and 6 p.m.

Splash Pads Now Open

The splash pad at Oriole Park.

Summer is here! How do we know? The splash pads in both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are now open. The City of Kentwood has two splash pads, one at Pinewood Park, 1999 Wolfboro Dr. SE, and Veterans Memorial Park, 355 48th St. SE. Both are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Wyoming has three splash pads,  Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW; one at Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW., and the third is at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson SW. Wyoming’s splash pads are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A fourth splash pad at Jackson Park is set to open on Saturday during the park’s reopening ceremony.

Fun Fact: I’m Your Venus

With NASA’s recent announcement that it is planning two missions to Earth’s other neighbor, Venus, we thought it might be fun to share a few facts about the second planet closest to the sun. Besides the fact that it is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty:

  1. Venus is hotter than Mercury despite the fact that Mercury is closer to the sun.

  2. A day on Venus is longer than a year on Earth.

  3. Venus has about 90 times the atmospheric pressure of Earth, which is the same pressure at about 1 km depth in the Earth’s oceans.

  4. It is believed that Venus had a celestial collision early in its history which caused the planet to get flipped upside down. This resulted in the planet rotating clockwise unlike the rest of the planets in our solar system which rotate anti-clockwise.

  5. Humans have been studying Venus since the second millennium BC because it is one of the brightest objects in the sky and easy to spot with the naked eye. In the upcoming Venus explorations, which are scheduled to launch in 2028-2030, NASA aims to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world when it has so many other characteristics similar to ours – and may have been the first habitable world in the solar system, complete with an ocean and Earth-like climate.

Kent District Library presents Summer Wonder

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming,

By Katie Zuidema
Kent District Library

This year, Kent District Library will take participants on a Summer Wonder journey of reading, learning and exploring through the great outdoors right here in Kent County. KDL has teamed up with Kent County Parks to bring patrons a spectacular summer of outdoor discovery, scavenger hunts, STEAM activities and lots of fun for everyone.

Participate in Summer Wonder by picking up a Summer Wonder Workbook at any KDL branch or signing up online at kdl.beanstack.org. It’s free and includes adventures and prizes for all ages. KDL is the perfect place to keep summer learning alive and growing.

“Summer Wonder is back with more outdoor adventures than ever before,” said KDL Branch Programming and Outreach Specialist Kris Vogelar. “If your kids think summer learning is boring, Summer Wonder will certainly prove them wrong!”

Summer Wonder is a great opportunity to limit the “summer slide” that negatively affects learning between the end and start of the traditional school year. Extensive research shows that children involved in summertime reading programs sponsored by public libraries are more likely to maintain their academic skills, and in many cases do better on standardized tests.

For more information, visit kdl.org/summer.

GR Symphony now offers live at-home performances

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, , ,

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk
Grand Rapids Symphony

Grand Rapids Symphony is offering at-home live performances featuring the GRS musicians. (Supplied/GRS)

If you love live music, you already know that enjoying an evening’s entertainment means you first have to dress for the occasion and then drive to another location.

If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic or struggled to find a parking place, no doubt you’ve imagined about how wonderful it would be if, instead of going to a concert, the concert came to you.

Wonder no more. Grand Rapids Symphony unveils a brand new live musical experience in August – Sidewalk Serenades.

Enjoy a cozy concert just for you, in an intimate gathering of family and friends, as West Michigan’s finest musicians perform for you in the privacy of your own driveway.

An exclusive 30-minute concert of classical music, performed by musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony, for you and up to nine guests can be yours for just $300.

A summer’s evening of beautiful, outdoor music is available at either 6:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 20-22, and again the following week Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27-29.

Sidewalk Serenades are limited to an audience of 10. Masks are required upon arrival and during the performance. No food or drink will be allowed when musicians are present, and CDC-guidelines for social distancing are required.

Reservations are limited. Go online and fill out this form to enjoy Grand Rapids Symphony’s Sidewalk Serenades. For more information, call Julie Nystedt at (616) 454-9451 ext. 131 or email her at jnystedt@grsymphony.org

You’re sure to be the envy of your neighborhood when the musicians of the Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony appear at your home.

Wyoming mayor pleased with turnout for first 2020 outdoor meeting

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,
The Wyoming City Council prepares for its first 2020 outdoor meeting at Pinery Park. The meeting took place Monday, July 20. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The picnic tables at Wyoming’s Pinery Park in front of the city stage were full, not for a concert but for the Wyoming City Council’s first 2020 summer outdoor council meeting.

For the past four years, the Wyoming City Council has taken its meeting on the road, visiting different neighborhoods within the city during the summer.

“I have been wanting to come to a meeting for awhile,” said Wyoming resident Mary Vickers, who added that attending was often difficult as she had to get her son ready for bed at about the same time as the meetings. “When I heard that this one was going to be at Pinery Park, I said good. We’ll go for a walk and find out what it is all about.”

That according to Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll is the reason why the Wyoming City Council has been hosting the outdoor meetings: to connect with the citizens and to encourage more people to get involved.

“We had some new faces and more citizens here for the meeting who had some individual concerns and it was good we were to be able to listen,” Poll said after the meeting.

Before the meeting, residents were able to have a treat and visit with city officials. (WKTV)

Several residents talked to council members and staff before the meeting on topics of concern including helping to slow traffic on some city streets to more universal access for the city parks. During the meeting, a couple of residents came up to talk about the cost of the replacement of the police cars that were lost during the May 31 riots in Grand Rapids and the need for crossing guards at Lee Street and Cleveland Avenue.

“We don’t see this kind of crowd at the city council chambers,” said Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt during the meeting. “It is nice to be able to hear their community concerns and to know what is going on in their neighborhood.”

Police Chief Kim Koster presents the 2019 Public Safety Annual Report. (WKTV)

During the meeting Police Chief Kim Koster presented the 2019 Public Safety report, which is available to citizens at the City of Wyoming website under the Public Safety tab. Koster noted the department had almost 7,000 calls for service in 2019, the highest number the department has had in a year. This included 4,677 EMS responses, which was also the highest number in a year.

Other numbers for year were:

158 Fire Events

404 Fire Alarms

330 Service Events

815 Good Intent Responses

409 Hazardous Condition Responses

Koster also noted that the Community Services Unit continues to maintain and build positive relationships having had 11,472 citizen/student contacts. The unit has attended community events, community meetings and provided lectures and presentations, along with follow-investigations, truancy complaints, and arrests.

Along with Koster’s report, the council received a report on an analytical study on how the residents felt the city was doing. The council also approved several budget items that included the approval to have Prein & Newhof design and oversee construction of the Plaster Creek Boulevard and non-motorized trail project from Buchanan Avenue to Division Avenue.

Mayor Jack Poll talks to residents before the meeting. (WKTV)

Poll announced that the next on-the-road meeting will be Aug. 17 at the SpartanNash YMCA, located off of Gezon Parkway at 5722 Metro Way. All city council meetings start at 7 p.m.

The Wyoming City Council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. throughout the year. Regular meetings are at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. For more information about the Wyoming City Council or the various city committees, visit wyomingmi.gov.

All the city council meetings are broadcast lived by WKTV on the WKTV Community Media Facebook page and on the WKTV Government Channel 26. Meetings rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.