Wyoming parks have shown signs of new growth for several weeks. As the first week of May comes to an end, trees and bushes move from sporting buds to leafing out.
Spring officially began on March 19, 2024, but many tree branches and plant stalks remained bare until recent days.
Trees typically leaf out when days lengthen and nights shorten. This triggers new growth and development. However, there’s no set date for when trees and plants will leaf out and bloom. In the Midwest, it is common for trees to hold off sprouting new leaves until mid-April due to the chance of frost.
Palmer Park was a natural haven of blue sky, sunshine and new green growth as the second week of May began. Several local residents are taking advantage of the park’s walking trails, enjoying the fresh air and warmer temperatures.
The City of Wyoming has several parks for residents to enjoy. A full list can be found here.
Gezon Park was the most recent park to receive updates and improvements including a new splash pad. The park was completed last summer. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor
Residents playing coed softball as there are concerts going on at Lamar Park. Children playing in the splash pads while a family is having a birthday party in one of the shelters.
Krashawn Martin was named Parks and Recreation director in October. (WKTV)
These are just a few of things that warms Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director Krashawn Martin’s heart as she travels around the City of Wyoming visiting its 21 parks, which total about 700 acres of park property.
The parks are a mix of developed with a few that are not. The parks are scattered throughout the city with the most northern being the almost 14-acre Marquette Park, 1251 Marquette SW; and southern are the 94-acre Gezon Park, 5651 Gezon Court; and the 2.2-acre Frog Hollow, 2050 Metro Court. Just to note, Gezon is the city’s largest park.
July is Parks and Rec Month
“My office is the overflow area,” Martin said with a laugh as we walked into her office, which among the items has a few boxes with prizes and games.
Those items are for the department’s July Pop-Up in the Park events in celebration of the national Parks and Recreation Month, an annual event since 1985 that promotes building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recognizes the staff and volunteers who maintain the parks.
Wyoming’s Pop-Up in the Park is every Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. with the park location announced Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. on the Park and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.
A Look Back and Ahead
“This year we are more into a planning year,” she said, adding that the department is kind of “exhaling” after all of the projects that have been completed over the past several years.
Several of the City of Wyoming Park’s have had new playgrounds installed in the past couple of years. This one is located at Ideal Park. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
The flurry of activity started with Ferrand Park in 2018 followed by Ideal, Jackson and last year, Gezon. All the parks received new play equipment and shelters with Ideal, Jackson, and Gezon also adding splash pads and restroom facilities.
Martin said restrooms have been a priority this year with work being down on such facilities at various parks. The department also is looking at renovating the pickle ball courts located at Pinery Park.
But this year’s biggest focus has been on the department’s five-year master plan. Parks are being reviewed for possible projects along with evaluating the department’s other assets, such as the Wyoming Senior Center, to make certain that the Parks and Recreation Department is meeting residents’ interests and needs.
“We are surveying residents and talking to users about what type of recreational programs they want to see and what activities they would like to have at the parks,” Martin said, adding the goal is to meet current interests but also that those programs have longevity with resources being used many years down the road.
Some Other Changes
The Wyoming Department of Parks and Recreation oversee the city’s Concerts in the Park series. (WKTV)
Along with the construction work, the department has added special events now overseeing the annual Concerts in the Park series and the holiday celebration, Wyoming Gives Back. The Parks and Recreation Department also will be managing the 36th Street Market located on the northern section of the former 36th Street site, next to the Godwin football stadium. Opening date for the market is spring 2024 with construction set to start this summer, Martin said.
The past year also included Martin being selected as director for the Parks and Recreation Department. She started with the city six years ago, first serving as the the special events and marketing programmer. She then was the recreational supervisor followed by serving as an analyst in the city manager’s office before returning to Parks and Recreation as its director.
“I feel like I am doing what I have always been doing, only we a really cool team,” Martin said.
Just a Few More Things
Martin and her team currently are planning and preparing for the upcoming fall months, which will include a new Youth Flag Football program with Godwin Public Schools (register soon if you want to get in as the deadline is July 30) along with popular favorites, such as the Trick-n-Treat Trail.
Martin also points out that there is still plenty of summer left to enjoy the splash pads. The city has five, one at Gezon, Lamar, Jackson, Ideal, and Oriole, along with a dog park (membership required) at Marquette Park. The splash pads are open through Labor Day.
Other park amenities include playgrounds; basketball, pickle ball, and tennis courts; softball fields and walking trails. For activities, events or more information about the Wyoming Department of Parks and Recreation and the city’s 21 parks, visit wyomingmi.gov/city-departments/parks-and-recreation.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
Earlier in the summer, the splash pad equipment was delivered to Gezon Park. (Supplied)
If you follow the tweets of Wyoming Director of Community Services Rebeca Rynbrandt, you know excitement is building for Gezon Park.
When construction started on the park, Rynbrandt noted that the opening of the park increases the city’s ability to provide equitable recreation and leisure services to one of its more populate areas. That reality comes true on Aug. 27 when the park will have a grand opening.
The redevelopment of Gezon Park is also one of the 2022 highlighted accomplishments of the Parks and Recreation Department, which Rynbrandt oversees, as the city marks National Parks and Recreation Month. Always in July, the month is designed to bring attention to how important parks and recreation are to a community.
The importance of parks
In fact, according to the National Recreation and Park Association’s 2022 The Economic Impact of Local Parks Report, local public park and recreation agencies in the United states generate nearly $218 million in economic activity and supported almost 1.3 million jobs that boosted labor income by more than $68 billion from their operations and capital spending in 2019.
In the city’s proclamation read by Mayor Jack Poll at the July 5 Wyoming City Council meeting, it was noted that the “park and recreation promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who visit parks increasing personal well-being, and alleviating illnesses such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and Alzheimer’s.”
The proclamation also notes how the park and recreation proves physical activities such as softball, baseball, biking, walking, hiking trails, playgrounds, and fitness trails along with the Wyoming Senior Center and the after school program TEAM 21. It also noted that “parks and recreation increases a community’s economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of local tax base, the attraction and retention of businesses and crime reduction.”
Lamar Park was one of four to receive new playground equipment this year. (Supplied)
What Wyoming offers
The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department oversees 21 parks that contain almost 700 acres of property and a diverse array of recreational amenities, natural settings, wildlife, and plant life. In its 2021 Annual report, it was noted that about $575 million were directed toward the parks with almost half of the money, about $3 million, toward facilities, capital improvements, and maintenance.
Rynbrandt has noted in the past that parks are in a state of maintenance and repair with her team working to keep those parks in top-top shape for residents. In fact this year, four of the city parks, Pinery, Hillcroft, Frog Hollow and Lamar park, all received new playground equipment.
There is also the challenge of meeting the evolving interests of residents which is reflected in the decision by the Parks and Recreation Commission to allow dogs at all parks. In 1998, the city had made Pinery Park a dog-free park. In the spring, the commission, with the support of residents, decided to end that policy.
Expanding special events
Residents also have wanted more special events that engage the community with the Parks Department has heard that call adding a number of special events.
Wrapping up next week will be the Concerts at the Park at Lamar Park. Performing on Aug. 2 is Latin soul group Grupo Latin.
But the park events have expanded beyond the popular concert series, which have included a summer market and Chalk the Park at Pinery Park earlier this month, the upcoming Aug. 20 Food Truck Rally (from 11 a.m to 5 p.m.) and the Oct. 8 Trick of Treat Trail at Lamar Park.
“Each day, our team worked hard, smart, and more innovatively to deliver programs and services to the residents of the Wyoming community,” said Rynbrandt in the 2021 Park and Recreation Commission Annual Report. “From reopening parks to honoring veterans in annual celebrations, helping seniors with meals and everyday necessities, and keeping Wyoming youth active and engaged through virtual programs an academic achievement, our parks and recreation team strives to bring the community together.”
The courts were booming at Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s pickleball tournament held last Saturday at Old Farm Park, 2350 Embro Dr. SE (Zack Fanko)
Zach Fanko WKTV Contributing Writer
If you’re out taking a stroll in one of the many parks in West Michigan, you may notice a distinct popping noise, and it’s probably not the wildlife in your area.
More than likely, it’s the sound of the pickleball craze that has hit the United States within the past few years.
That noise is a small paddle hitting a yellow, plastic ball with holes in it, similar to a wiffle ball, and the sport has taken over many recreation parks throughout the area, including Kentwood’s Old Farm Park (2350 Embro Dr.)
Founded in 1965
Pickleball, described as a mix of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, had its humble beginnings in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Wash.
Fastest-growing sport
Now with more than 4.8 million players nationwide, and a growth of nearly 40 percent the last couple years, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport for two years running, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
One of the reasons for its growth is its ease to learn and play for beginners, according to Larry Keefe, who helps run Kentwood’s tournaments and also is an ambassador to the United States Pickleball Association.
“Anyone could show up to the court and even without any experience could pick it up relatively quickly,” said Keefe, Kentwood’s main pickleball instructor who helped kickstart the program. “Most players are always willing to lend a hand when it comes to rules and tips on how to play.”
Keefe said the growth in the sport locally has led to many pickleball courts being overrun with participants.
Pickleball was the nation’s fastest growing sport in America two years running, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. (Zach Fanko)
“You could go to any park during the weekend here and you will find many players waiting to use the courts,” Keefe said. “Quite frankly, there is a need for more courts. It is that popular in the area.”
Youth growth during pandemic
Coincidentally, the pickleball program saw an increase in participation among the younger demographic during the Covid-19 pandemic as these individuals were seeking recreational activities to do outside.
“When we couldn’t go to restaurants or movie theaters I think young people gravitated toward the sport,” Keefe explained. “It really is more of a social sport at its core.”
Growth was the fastest among players under 24 years of age from 2020-2021 at 21 percent.
Kentwood’s pickleball program, which includes singles and doubles, began about four years ago, according to Shelby Henshaw, a recreation program coordinator.
“We have our beginner and intermediate lessons, as well as our monthly tournaments during the summer,” said Henshaw, who’s added three more instructors because of growth. “It is mostly adults and seniors, but we have seen an uptick in youth participation as well.”
With an official pickleball court measuring 20-feet wide by 44-feet long, one-third the size of a tennis court, the sport focuses more on agility and balance. This combined with other rules makes the game very inclusive.
Fun for all ages
“It’s a very good sport for people of all ages,” Henshaw said. “It is highly competitive, but you don’t need elite athleticism necessarily to excel at pickleball.”
While others were just enjoying a nice summer day at Old Farm Park last Saturday, Julian (28) and Murali (43) were one of the teams participating in the Kentwood tournament.
“I first started playing down in Florida while staying at my grandma’s condo,” Julian said. “After that I started playing here and Belknap. It’s amazing to see how many people have started playing recently and all the new courts that have been built.”
Murali said the environment sold him on the game.
“The social aspect of meeting all kinds of different people,” he explained. “It really is like our own community.”
Beer City Open: $90,000 in prize money
For some players, the Kentwood tournament on July 16 served as a warmup for the Beer City Open, one of the largest USPA-sanctioned events in the Midwest. When registration opened for the event, more than 900 participants signed up within 10 minutes.
Hosted by the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club, the Beer City Open runs from July 20-24 at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids and features $90,000 in total prize money.
Mark Robertson, of Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio, talks to residents about what they would like to see at Gezon Park.
Through a survey and a recent meeting with residents, Wyoming City officials said it appears that the new master plan for Gezon Park will need to have a balance between what is at the park now and the amenities some would like to see added.
Last week, the City of Wyoming’s Department of Parks and Recreation hosted its first public meeting on the new master plan for Gezon Park at the KDL Wyoming Branch. With about 70 residents in attendance, representatives from Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio revealed the results of an online survey the city conducted earlier. Mark Robertson, of Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio, noted the survey received more than 1,200 responses, which was pretty impressive.
Community Services Director Rebecca Rynbrandt said the city was pleased with the responses and the turnout at the Jan. 18 meeting. She stated at the meeting, that three proposed plans will be presented at the second public meeting set for Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Metro Health University of Michigan Health Conference Center, 2225 Main St., located in the hospital. The master plan proposal will then be sent to the Wyoming Planning Commission and finally to the Wyoming City Council for final approval.
Gezon Park is located between Gezon Parkway and 52nd Street with entrances along both roads. The 94-acre park, which according to Rynbrandt was a former well field, has only about 52 acres available for development due to the existing water tower and other natural land features.
Area residents listen as representatives from Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio discuss recent survey results for Gezon Park.
Many at the Jan. 18 public meeting who spoke indicated that they lived near the park and were happy the way the park is now, with the center area mostly left natural and a variety of animals living in the park.
The survey results indicated a mix of desired uses with the top ones being nature/natural trails, walking, playgrounds and splash pads. Gezon Park does have a playground at the 52nd Street entrance with unpaved walking trails. At the Gezon Parkway entrance, there are ballfields.
The survey also showed that the largest respondents were in the ages of 38-55 and lived more than a mile away from the park.
A large number of respondents indicated they had children or visited parks with children. For those with children, the top organized programs were nature education along with baseball and soccer. Non-organized activities included playgrounds, splash pads, walking/hiking paths and biking paths/trails.
As for personal non-organized activities respondents visited a park for, walking, relaxation and trails ranked high with baseball being the number one organized activity. Also it was indicated that facilities should be provided for large gatherings.
Most of those who spoke at the meeting said they enjoy the quiet of the park and want to preserve the wooded area with the trails. Several indicated some parking issues that have developed due to park usage. A couple of residents said they would not mind more development on either end of the park, but wanted to keep the center mostly natural. One person did mention the possibility of a dog park but several residents raised concerns about property values.
The summer months are quickly approaching which means both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are looking for seasonal workers for programs run through the individual muncipalties’ parks and recreation departments as well as additional maintenance help.
Both cities are currently accepting applications for seasonal work with positions ranging from umpiring to maintenance in various departments at wages between $9 to $15 an hour.
In the City of Wyoming, there are several positions. The city’s Water Department is looking for seasonal maintenance for a variety of tasks. The Department of Public Works is looking for a seasonal yard waste attendant and maintenance and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is in need of seasonal maintenance workers along with umpires for softball and kickball.
The Parks and Recreation Department is also looking for T.E.A.M 21 group leaders for its summer program. T.E.A.M. 21 is a cooperative effort between the Parks and Recreation Department, Wyoming Public Schools, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools. The program is designed to foster academic, social and emotional growth among students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Last year, the program served nearly 1,600 students in the four school districts. T.E.A.M. 21 group leaders would be responsible for supervising students, planning and implementing educational and recreational activities and mentoring.
Most of the City of Wyoming seasonal positions are part-time. Hours for the different positions vary and some do require weekends. For more information or to apply, visit the City of Wyoming’s website by clicking here.
The City of Kentwood is looking for maintenance workers, which is 40 hours per week and pays around $10 an hour.
Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation Department has several seasonal positions open as well including a farmers market manager and park attendant. The Kentwood Farmer’s Market usually runs Saturday mornings from about June to October.
The Parks and Recreation Department is also looking for Recreation Leaders and REACH staff. The REACH program is a drop-in program in three Kentwood Parks that provides recreational opportunities such as games, sports, and crafts, during the summer months. These positions pay around $10 to $15 per hour.
For more information or an employment application, visit the City of Kentwood’s website by clicking here.
Participants check out the 2015 Taste of Kentwood event.
Every wonder what a Smash Burger tastes like? How about a sub from Boardwalk Subs? Or just curious about what food items Celebration! Cinema has to offer?
Thursday, March 3, area residents will have the opportunity to find out as the Kentwood Park and Recreation Department hosts its 15th Annual Taste of Kentwood at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
“It is a nice opportunity to sample several different offerings from various local places,” said Laura Barbrick, marketing and events coordinator for the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation.
This year, about 13 restaurants from the Kentwood area will participate. Each restaurant brings in samples of some of its well-known food items. Participants sign up for one of the two sessions, 4:30 – 6 p.m. or 6:30 – 8 p.m., and during the session go from table-to-table trying the various foods.
“There will be a nice variety from soup, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, curry dishes and Mexican food,” Barbrick said. There are about 13 restaurants participating in this year’s event. Those restaurants include Peppino’s Grille and Pizzeria, Zoup!, Bloop Frozen Yogurt, Rak Thai, Pizza Ranch, Smash Burger, Jet’s Pizza, Potbelly, On the Border, Boardwalk Subs, Dave & Buster’s and Celebration! Cinema.
The annual event, which is marking its 15th year this year, is quite popular, bringing in about 500 people to the 2015 event, according to Barbrick. On average, Taste of Kentwood raises about $3,000 – this includes money from a silent auction – which is used to provide scholarships to programs at the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation.
Tickets for the event are$5 in advance and $7 at the door. Children 5 & under are free. For more information or other City of Kentwood Park and Recreation programs, visit the department’s website.
