This past July, many communities, such as the City of Wyoming, observed National Parks and Recreation Month, an opportunity to showcase the many offerings parks and park programs provide.
WKTV was able to catch up with Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt, who oversees the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department. Rynbrandt discussed some of the newest features at a couple of the city’s parks, such as the the new pickleball courts at Pinery Park and the playground at Marquette Park.
Rynbrandt also talked about how the department continues to change and grow to meet its residents’ needs and interests.
“We are seeing an increase of request from our citizens, our residents, to have more special events, like the Trick or Treat Trail, formerly known as the Pumpkin Path Trail; like the Miranda Park parties,” Rynbrandt said. “So you are going to see us increasing our investment in those large scale events that will really engage the entire community.”
The Trick or Treat Trail is Oct. 12 from 4-6 p.m. at Lamar park. The event is free, but children must be under the supervision of an attending adult.
Other popular Park and Recreation events coming up are:
The Veterans Day Breakfast is Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center. Cost is $10 per attendee and free for veterans.
The Great Candy Candy Cane Hunt and Lunch With Santa is set for Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center. Cost is $5/residents, $7, non-residents. Best for children ages 3-10 but open to all ages.
For more City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation activities, visit wyomingmi.gov. Go to the “About Wyoming” tab for a scroll down menu that includes Parks and Recreation or visit the Facebook page, Wyoming Parks and Recreation.
While the unusually wet spring has caused the water to be higher than normal at Ideal Park, the park’s redevelopment plans continue to move forward with Wyoming City officials expecting to reopen the park on schedule in June 2020.
Earlier this year, the Wyoming City Council approved a contact to Katerberg Verhage, Inc. for about $1.6 million for the project. The plan will include an accessible playground, improved parking with enhanced safety features, Buck Creek viewing stations, basketball court, shelter, and restroom. The park also will feature an improved walking and bike trail with connection to the City’s interurban trail system.
“All the development will be on the east side of the park,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. This was per residents who encouraged the city to relocate primary facilities to the eastside of the creek because of flooding, Rynbrandt said.
Ideal Park’s playground area after the 2014 tornado. (City of Wyoming)
In 2014, the City of Wyoming had a tornado which caused significant damage at Ideal Park, including the lost of many trees — some more than 100 years old — and the park’s playground equipment. It took two years for the city to clean up the park and it was reopened in 2016 only for a second tornado to hit the park area followed by a flood.
“We have been working toward the redevelopment: the return of playgrounds, the return of trees to that area of our community, particularly to that park since 2014,” Rynbrandt said.
The art deco bridge and the original lodge at Ideal Park were left untouched by the 2014 and 2016 tornados. (City of Wyoming)
Amazingly, what was not touched was the original lodge and art deco bridge which was constructed through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a program designed to put people to work during the Great Drepression years in the 1930s. In fact, Ideal Park is one of the oldest parks in Kent County, dating back to the 1930s. It was South Kent’s preeminent park hosting a number huge events include the local Republican Party. In the 1960s, former Governor George Romney and former President Gerald R. Ford were pictured shaking hands at one of these Republican Party events.
In 2015, after meeting with residents to discuss plans, the city council approved the Ideal Park master plan and was then able to write a grant for Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund. The city received $300,000. The rest of the project will be funded through the dedicated City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation operational millage.
The entire Ideal Park project will be about $3.3 million, with the first phase of about $1.6 million being approved in April of this year, Rynbrandt said, adding “with the goal of having the park opened by June 6, 2020.”
On Tuesday, May 28, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced an award of $945,000 in 21stCentury Learning Center grant funds to operate seven elementary after-school programming sites in the city of Wyoming through the TEAM 21 after-school program, a consortium of the City of Wyoming, Wyoming Public Schools, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools.
Currently, TEAM 21 serves 1,542 students, 900 of which were at risk of losing services should this grant have not been funded. Schools impacted are: Wyoming Public School District – Gladiola, Oriole Park, Parkview and West; Godfrey-Lee Public School District – Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center and Godfrey Elementary; and Godwin Heights Public School District – North Godwin Elementary. TEAM 21 provides academic support, enrichment, health and fitness, life skills, service-learning, and recreation opportunities in the after-school and summer hours.
Wyoming, Kelloggsviile, Godwin Heights and Godfrey Lee Public Schools students fill their summer days with fun and activities through TEAM 21, which blended summer school and recreation
“TEAM 21 is a testament of community collaboration resulting in high quality programming that is making a proven difference in the academic performance of children,” stated Craig Hoekstra, Superintendent of Wyoming Public Schools and grant fiduciary agent.
This funding brings the total number of TEAM 21 sites to 12 for the 2019-2020 school year with an annual investment exceeding $1.2 million by the MDE and leveraged by local municipal and school district in-kind resources.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity this provides for TEAM 21 to continue serving youth and families in the Wyoming community,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services. “We are blessing, investing in and mentoring our next generation of leaders.”
In addition to the seven schools awarded, TEAM 21 has continuation funding secured for five additional schools (WPS – Wyoming Intermediate and Wyoming Junior High; GLPS – Lee Middle; GHPS – West Godwin Elementary and Godwin Middle) through a separate 21st CCLC grant. For more information about the TEAM 21 program, please visit www.wyomingmi.gov/team21 or contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164.
As the weather is getting warmer, we are all looking at healthier activities. One place to check that out is Wyoming Community Health and Wellness Expo set for Saturday, April 13, at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop SW.
The event, which will be from 1 – 3 p.m., will feature local health organizations that will be 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 Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. “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 include activities for all ages such as free blood pressure checks and yoga and Zumba demonstrations.
If you miss the Wyoming expo, about 10 days later, the City of Kentwood will be hosting its 20th Annual Spotlight on Seniors Health & Fitness Expo, set for April 23, at the Kentwood Recreation Department, 355 48th St. SE. The free event, which is from 8:30 a.m. – noon, offers more than 70 vendors along with free breakfast and lunch.
For many driving on Byron Center Avenue pass Ferrand Park, their reaction might be very similar to that of the wife of Wyoming’s Council Member Kent Vanderwood.
“So my wife and I have lived in Wyoming for 13 years and my wife and I were driving by [Ferrand Park] recently and she said there’s a park in there,” Vanderwood said during an August Wyoming Council meeting.
Ferrand Park is one of the oldest city park areas in Wyoming having been donated by the Ferrand family and dedicated in 1971. However a deed restriction did not allow the city to remove any of the trees, with the city leaving the park in a natural state with a small playground area.
The ribbon cutting ceremony at the Ferrand Park rededication.
“So you see the beautiful trees?” said City Services Director Rebecca Rynbrandt. “We can not remove a tree unless it is in imminent risk to the public. So for years, we have to wait for them to die a little bit of their natural death allowing us to have space in the middle, which opened up for play.”
Now some 40 years later, the city was able to invest more than $400,000 into the pocket park with money from the Parks and Recreation Fund and the Revolving Capital Improvement Fund. On Aug. 25, the city hosted a rededication.
“We are very excited to be rededicating Ferrand Park, one of our 21 parks in the city of Wyoming,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “We are excited for the major changes that have occurred in this park and we are most thankful for our citizens for once again supporting efforts in our parks that make them some of the most beautiful parks in all of West Michigan.”
The park features a number of new amenities such as a shelter, pathways into the park, architectural features that help to identify the park, and a new, expanded playground area.
The new, expanded playground at Ferrand Park.
“I personally love the dragonfly teeter-totter ,” Rynbrandt said. “We try to make something special and unique for each park.
“We also implemented the log and step rocks. We want this to be a marriage of the environment with the landscaping and then with the traditional land features. We added and expanded the playground that is available. There is climbing walls that they never had before. They have never had swing sets at this park, so we have provided an adaptive swing as well as a regular swing.”
Another important aspect is the accessible pathways into the park, Rynbrandt said.
“We have an accessible ramp into the park,” she said. “We have a sidewalk area and we have a crush aggregate, so we also have different textures.”
There are other details as well such as a table area near the park with a handicap accessible spot facing the playground area, making it easier for all to enjoy the playground space.
All of these changes are making residents take notice of the neighborhood park.
The butterfly teeter-totter at Ferrand Park.
“We have already seen an increase in dog-walkers, exercise walkers for health and wellness because now they know the park exists,” she said. “We put the architecture detail along the road of Byron Center so people are saying ‘hey what is there?’
“Before, the playground sat very low in the hollow in the area. So now people know there is a park and they are walking in, they have a safe route to access the playground and the shelter.
Now with Ferrand Park done, the City of Wyoming will turn its attention to its oldest park, Ideal Park, with work scheduled to start on that park soon and a grand reopening celebration set for 2019.
After almost six months of closure, the City of Wyoming is excited to re-open Ferrand Park, 4715 Byron Center Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. The community and neighborhood is encouraged to join the Mayor, City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission in celebrating the renovations.
Two new features at Ferrand Park is the green half-circle seesaw and the dragonfly seesaw.
The new park features new and expanded play equipment, including swings, custom powerscape playground structure, and dragonfly see saw. There are also universally ADA accessible walkways, improved turf conditions and a picnic shelter.
“The City of Wyoming and Parks and Recreation Commission are pleased to celebrate the grand opening of Ferrand Park,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services. “We pride ourselves on excellent facilities and know that the improved accessibility of Ferrand will be a great asset to the families of our community.”
Ferrand Park is a small neighborhood park with a shady oak canopy. It also serves as a storm water collection area during large rains. The tree canopy is protected by a deed restriction that prohibits the removal of any trees unless dead or unsafe.
The grand opening celebration will feature Mayor Jack Poll and Parks and Recreation commissioner Doug Wustman.
The construction project, valued at $419,750, is made possible by the Capital Projects Revolving Fund and the Parks and Recreation Operational Millage.
For this first time in his council career, Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll walked to the council meeting.
The meeting was the second council-on-the-road one for the Wyoming City Council which was at the Del-Mar Community Room, the subdivision Poll lives in. The last on-the-road summer meeting is Aug. 6 at Oriole Park.
Community members filled the Del-Mar Community Room and thanked the council for bringing the meeting to the residents.
Poll said staff worked to bring subjects to the meetings that would be important to the residents of the southwest area. This meeting included discussion on the city’s master plan, upcoming road projects, and the TEAM 21 program.
City of Wyoming’s Principal Planner Nicole Hofer
Master Plan
So what will the City of Wyoming look like in the future? This was the question that the Wyoming City Council, staff, and residents will be asked to consider as the city begins the process to review and update its current master plan.
“Ultimately, a master plan helps to define our future vision, our economic development opportunities, what housing will look like in our city, what transportation we will have,” said the city’s new principal planner Nicole Hofert. “Will we have busing? Will we continue with cars? Will we integrate bike lanes? It is about land use.”
The city’s current master plan was adopted in 2006 with the plan projected out to 2020. The city has done periodic updates on the plan but with 2020 only a few years away, the time is now for the city to look ahead at the next 20 years.
Hofert said a lot has happened within the city since the master plan was first adopted. This has included the adoption of a form base code, the discussion of affordable housing, and looking at the city’s industrial sites. Also, the City of Grand Rapids has had tremendous growth and the city needs to consider how that impacts the Wyoming community, she said.
The review process is expected to take about 14-16 months with the goal of getting the community involved as much as possible. This includes hosting pop up events, utilizing social media, and attending community activities such as school homecomings to interact with residents and collect as much input as possible. The next step in the process will be to create a request for proposals to send it out to potential consultants for the master plan update, Hofert said.
Welcome sign at the Del-Mar Community Center
Road Projects
Wyoming Department of Public Works Director Bill Dooley spoke about the road work that will be taking place in the City of Wyoming. The Wyoming City Council approved a bid of around $4 million for the city’s resurfacing projects. The bid was awarded to Michigan Paving and Materials Company.
Dooley said the city has 650 miles of lane roads. The lifespan of a road depends on use with most being about 25-30 years with roads that have high traffic such as truck traffic, being around 10 years. The city spends about $5.5 million annual on road projects with some of the money coming from the state’s gas tax.
Because the bids came in 22 percent higher than last year, a few roads were eliminated from the scope of the project. The increase cost is related to what oil prices are and asphalt is made from oil, Dooley said.
Poll noted that because last year bids came in so low, the city did add on some roads so as to make its dollars go farther.
Dooley said that the remaining $1.5 million in roads was being used for the reconstruction of 56th Street between Byron Center and Ivanrest avenues and will include the addition of a new signal at Ivanrest and 56th. That project is scheduled to start on July 9 with the intersection being done in the fall, closer to the project’s completion.
Community members and city officials chat before the meeting
Team 21 program
The Wyoming City Council approved about $1.46 million for the city’s after school and summer program, TEAM 21.
The city partners with four school districts, Wyoming Public Schools, Kelloggsville Public Schools, Godfrey Lee Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools to provide 15 TEAM 21 sites around the city. These sites support about 2,000 students. Wyoming Public Schools serves as the fiduciary agent for the program.
“These budget amendments actually recognize approximately $1.6 million that will come into the City of Wyoming, specifically to the operations of the parks and recreation service area in supporting and employing our site coordinators and our program administrative staff,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, the city’s director of community services.
This year, the city saw an increase in funding for the program, however; funding, which comes from the federal government, has been “more challenging” since the Trump administration has taken office, Rynbrandt said, adding the administration has zeroed out funding for these types of programs. Congress has been putting the funding back in when reviewing the budget, Rynbrandt said.
Next year, 10 sites are up for renewal. Because the city does not know its funding level until on or about July 1 and since there remains a question on funding for the future, Rynbrandt said city staff will be meeting with area superintendents to work on plans to make sure there is funding at least through the summer of2019. She said she will be reporting at a later date on what those plans will be to accomplish that goal.
It’s time to celebrate spring, which the City of Wyoming plans to do by hosting its annual spring carnival at Lamar Park.
The carnival opens on Friday, April 27 and runs through Sunday, May 6, at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. Carnival times are Monday through Thursday from 4 – 8:30 p.m.; Friday from 2-8:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from noon – 8:30 p.m.
“What says family fun like a spring carnival?” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services for the City of Wyoming. “The carnival is a great opportunity for the community to come out and celebrate the change in seasons in a fun and exciting atmosphere.”
The carnival will feature entertainment for all ages, including games, prizes, and carnival fare favorites. A spectrum of rides will be available for carnival-goers, from crowd pleasers, such as a carousel and Ferris Wheel to the adrenaline-inducing Mega Drop and Wipe Out.
Proceeds from the carnival support City of Wyoming parks and recreation services and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance or GWCRA. Funds raised support youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department. The GWCRA distributes funds to the community through its annual grant awarding process.
The spring carnival is made possible through the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, call the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164.
The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is taking registrations for its spring softball leagues. (WKTV)
Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is offering multiple softball leagues, including coed and men’s, for community members to participate in this spring.
The department is looking for community members who are interested in joining their adult softball leagues. Registration for adult slow-pitch softball is currently open for the spring season.
“We work to provide quality programming to Wyoming citizens of all ages,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services. “Our adult softball leagues are a great way for individuals to stay active, work as a team and have fun.”
A 10-game season for the coed league is offered Monday-Friday and Wednesday-Thursday for men’s leagues. The fee is $475 per team. Additional men’s league, offered Mondays and Tuesdays, will be a 12-game league and with a $530 cost per team. All leagues include a single-elimination tournament at the end of regular season.
The registration deadline for adult softball is Monday, March 19. For more information, or to register your team, please contact Recreation Programmer Kenny Westrate at 616-530-3164 or westratek@wyomingmi.gov.
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 other Parks and Recreation special events or programs, 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.
Gezon Park is one of four parks in line for improvements and renovations.
There are new possibilities on the horizon for Wyoming’s Gezon Park. The City of Wyoming’s Community Services Division is looking for ideas on the future design of the park at its first public meeting.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, the city plans to unveil the results of its initial electronic survey seeking input on recreation facility needs – more than 1,200 responses were received. The city is seeking further input at its first in-person meeting. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Wyoming Library, 3350 Michael Ave SW.
“With the growth in the City’s southern region, from developments at Metro Health Village to expanded residential housing along Wilson Avenue, we need the facilities of Gezon Park to align, not only the community needs of today, but well into the future,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services. “We received great feedback through our electronic survey and continue to look to the public to guide the conversation at our first public meeting.”
A second public meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 8. Gezon Park currently has entrances at 1940 52nd St. SW to the north and 5651 Gezon Ct. SW to the south, spans 94 acres and currently features multiple athletic fields and small playground. The vast majority of the park remains undeveloped.
Ever wanted an ultimate Frisbee court? Hoping to have a splash pad at your park? How about more walking trails? Now is the time for Wyoming residents to speak up as the City of Wyoming asks for their input on what Gezon Park should offer.
Through Jan. 11, the City of Wyoming is seeking Wyoming residents’ input on a new master plan for Gezon Park.
The Gezon Park project is part of the library millage proposal that Wyoming voters approved in May. Voters approved a proposal that allowed the city to open up its current library millage to help with park improvements. About .16 of the .39 library millage, about $800,000 a year, is being used to help pay a 15-year bond of $4.4 million.
The master plan will be the basis of the future park development plans. Residents are encouraged to take a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GezonParkMasterPlan. The survey only takes about a couple of minutes to complete. The survey will be available until Jan. 11. After the survey information has been processed, there will be two public meetings on the park as well. The first is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The second will be on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Metro Health University of Michigan Health Conference Center, 2225 Main St., located in the hospital.
Gezon Park, which includes 94 acres with two entrances, 5651 Gezon Ct. SW and 1940 52nd St SW, actually had a site plan developed in 1996. However much has changed since then, noted Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt, who oversees the parks.
“With the growth in the City’s southern region, from developments at Metro Health Village to expanded residential housing along Wilson Avenue, we need the facilities of Gezon Park to align, not only the community needs of today, but well into the future,” Rynbrandt said. “We really look to our community and area residents to guide this process so Gezon can be exactly what is needed for the area.”
The walking path at Gezon Park during the summer.
While Gezon Park runs from Gezon Parkway and 52nd Street, only the entrance areas have been developed. The north end of the park (the 52nd Street entrance) serves as a neighborhood park with basketball courts, a picnic shelter, playground area and walking trail.The south end of the park (the Gezon Parkway entrance) is an active sports park with baseball, softball, and football fields along with restroom facilities. The vast majority of the park remains undeveloped. The City of Wyoming Water Treatment Plant is located adjacent to the park on the City property as well.
Gezon Park is one of four parks included in the proposed park improvements. The other parks are Ferrand Park, a pocket park on Byron Center Avenue; Jackson Park, located at 1331 33rd St. SW; and Ideal Park, located at 5843 Crippen Ave. SW.
For more information about Gezon Park or the greater Wyoming Parks system or program, contact the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164 or parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or visit www.wyomingmi.gov.
About 6,000 children, parents, and grandparents attended the Wyoming Pumpkin Path last year.
It’s time to get the kids together and pull out your favorite costume because Pumpkin Path is right around the corner!
The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is excited to once again host the 14th annual Pumpkin Path – a free event for kids and families on Saturday, Oct. 14 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.
“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.
At last year’s Pumpkin Path event, 65 local businesses and organizations and more than 6,000 children, parents, grandparents and friends attended.
The City of Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival is on track to open tomorrow at a new location, Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.
“We are excited to return the carnival to its’ historic home at Lamar Park,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of Community Services for the City of Wyoming. “If you visit 28West Place you’ll see all of the orange barrels. It is wonderful to see the new construction occurring in Wyoming’s downtown area. With the redevelopment occurring of the Village Mall, the spring landscaping and final restoration work on tap for the new street, and more, we did not want the carnival location to delay this economic development in any way.”
Rynbrandt said when city officials evaluated other potential sites for the carnival, they sought an area that would be able to accommodate parking and provide for a larger venue.
“By going back to our roots, Lamar Park fits the bill,” she said.
The carnival will be open through May 7 and feature activities for the entire family.
A staple in the city for more than 30 years, proceeds from the carnival will be split between the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance (GWCRA). GWRCA funds support youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Parks and Recreation Department. The GWCRA will also distribute funds to the community through its annual grant making process.
“We hope that the community will join in supporting these two great causes,” Rynbrandt said. “The Parks and Recreation Department and the GWCRA provides services and funding that benefit children, families and non-profit organizations throughout Wyoming.”
The Spring Carnival runs from April 28 – May 7 with its hours being 4 – 8 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 2 – 8 p.m. Friday, and noon – 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The carnival will feature entertainment for all ages, including games, prizes, and carnival fare favorites. A spectrum of rides will be available for carnival-goers, from crowd pleasers, such as a carousel and Ferris Wheel to the adrenaline-inducing Mega Drop and Wipe Out. Unlimited ride wristbands will be available daily for $20.
The Spring Carnival is made possible through the work of the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation and TJ Schmidt. For information, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation at 616-530-3164.
The City of Wyoming is weighing several different options for future carnival events.
Due to a late start followed by an early closure of its carnival, City of Wyoming officials expect its revenues to be “significantly” less than last year, coming in under $10,000, way below the $30,000 goal.
Wintry weather caused a delay in the opening of the spring carnival, moving the opening from Friday, April 8, to Monday, April 11. Despite the delay, city officials said if the weather cooperated, they felt they could make their goals.
The weather did turn warmer, but the city closed the carnival at various times on Thursday and Friday due to shooting incidents near the event. City officials officially announced the shutdown of the annual event at the former Studio 28 parking lot on the morning of April 16, about two days before the scheduled conclusion. City officials made the decision to close the carnival because of the shooting incidents. The first was on Thursday, April 14, when a 19-year-old man showed up at Metro Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. While witnesses to the shooting were uncooperative, Wyoming police officers believed the this shooting took place in the parking lot next to 1350 28th St. SW.
On Friday, April 15, officers heard a gunshot in a parking lot south of the carnival. The officers witnessed a vehicle leaving and made a traffic stop, discovering two guns and arresting three people on weapon charges. Both events are still under investigation.
“We are still working on the final numbers,” said Wyoming’s Community Services Director Rebecca Rynbrandt about the carnival, adding that the city is working with the carnival vendor on expenses he had to incur do to the early closure.
“We are expecting our portion to be significantly less than what we had hoped,” Rynbrandt said. She said that the estimated amount is less than $10,000. Last year, the city earned about $26,000. The money from the carnival is split between the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance (GWRCA). The Parks and Recreation Department uses the money to help with park needs. The GWRCA funds youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Parks and Recreation Department.
Rynbrandt said officials will be reviewing park needs and funding along with meeting with GWRCA to assess funding and programs.
As for the future of the carnival, Rynbrandt said the city is still reviewing all of its options.
“One thing people should be aware is that carnivals themselves are not bad and provide wonderful services in the city of Wyoming,” Rynbrandt said, emphasizing that none of the incidents took place at the carnival. Rynbrandt added that city officials want to wrap up this year’s event and then take a step back to look at everything such as location and time of year.
“Our number one priority is public safety,” Rynbrandt said. “As sponsor of the event we hold ourselves to a much higher accountability in that regards.”
Captain Kim Koster, from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety echoed the city’s commitment to safety of its residents and visitors. With safety at the forefront, Koster said the department is working with other organizers on upcoming city events.
“Our Department of Public Safety has and will continue to worked with the Wyoming Kentwood Chamber of Commerce and the participating businesses to determine and provide the appropriate level of police presence for the Metro Cruise, and we are always happy to work with other community organizations to plan for similar events.,” Koster said. “Similarly, public safety has worked with the Community Clean-Up Day [which takes place this Saturday] committee to determine the appropriate level of police presence for the day’s activities.”
With the forecast of possible snow on Friday, officials from the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department announced today that due to the weather, it would be delaying the opening of its Spring Carnival to Monday, April 11.
“With today’s weather and reviewing the pending forecast for the rest of the week, safety during the carnival set up and for attendees has required us to delay opening,” officials stated in a press release sent to WKTV. The Weather Channel is reporting snow for Thursday and Friday with break on Saturday and snow again on Sunday. It is supposed to rain on Monday with the weather clearing by Tuesday.
Due to schedules, the Spring Carnival will be shorten from ten days to seven. City of Wyoming Community Services Director Rebecca Rynbrandt said the decision to delay start was mutual one made by both city officials and the carnival vendor.
The annual event, which was scheduled to start on Friday, is now scheduled to run from 4 – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, April 11 – 15; noon – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 15 – 16; and 1 – 10 p.m. Sunday, April 17. The carnival is located in the parking lot of the former Studio 28 theaters, 1400 28th St. SW.
A staple in the city for more than 30 years, proceeds from the carnival will be split between the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance (GWCRA). GWRCA funds support youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Parks and Recreation Department. The GWCRA will also distribute funds to the community through its annual grant making process.
The Parks and Recreation Department will use its funds to help with park needs such as updating playground equipment, ball field matts and bases and tennis court nets.
“It really is a great opportunity to go out and enjoy the carnival while at the same time giving back to your community,” Rynbrandt said.
Last year, the event raised $26,000. The goal for this year is $30,000. Of course events like these are weather dependent and the shortening of the event could impact the goal, but the overall safety of the carnival workers and those attending is the city’s first priority, Rynbrandt said.
“The carnival will be open in the evenings and on the weekend of April 15, 16, and 17,” Rynbrandt said. “If we have four really great days, we can still meet our goal.”
The admission cost is $15 Monday—Thursday and $20 Friday—Sunday. The Parks and Recreation Department has $3-off coupons available on its Facebook page.
This year’s sponsors are the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, T.J. Schmidt & Co. and Loeks Theatres Inc.
For more information on the carnival, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 530-3164.
The new memorial arch at Wyoming’s Veteran’s Memorial Garden.
The final memorial arch was installed this week at the City of Wyoming’s Veteran’s Memorial Garden.
The installation marked the end of a more than 10-year project for the Veteran’s Park. Started as a vision of local veterans groups, in 1995, through the support of the community, the city was able to complete the first phase of the project by dedicating the Walk of Honor to all military branches. Over the course of the past several years, the city has been adding elements to the park. This week, the city completed the project with the installation of the last of the three arches. The new arch will be recognized during the city’s annual Memorial Service set for the observed holiday, May 30 at 7 p.m.
Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services for the City of Wyoming, said the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department received a $6,475 grant from the City of Wyoming Community Development Block Grant to fund the final memorial arch. This included the casting and placement in the Veteran’s Park, Rynbrandt said.
“We invite the community to visit the park located at 2300 DeHoop Avenue to view its three arches heralding Honor, Duty, and Country and reflect upon the service of our veterans,” she said. The Veteran’s Park is located right in front of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and across from Pinery Park.
There are no current plans for any other additions to the park. Rynbrandt said. Memorial bricks for those who served are still available along the Walk of Honor. Bricks are placed in the spring for Memorial Day and in the fall for Veteran’s Day. Bricks are $40. For more information on purchasing a brick, click here or call the City of Wyoming offices at 616-530-7272.
