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East Express | Sept. 14, 2023

PARKS & RECREATION

Triathlon swimmersTHANK YOU: RHOADES MCKEE REEDS LAKE TRIATHLON

Special thanks to our sponsors, volunteers and triathlon participants for making the 2023 Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon another success!

View results here. 

Dog park entrance

DOG PARK OPEN

Looking for a space to socialize with your dog? The City welcomes community members and their dogs to the new dog park at Remington Park, 2310 Reeds Lake Blvd SE. The park has two areas – one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs.  

The City encourages all visitors to obey park rules displayed on signage and to pick up after their pets. The development was made possible through the voter-approved 2021 Parks Improvement Millage. 

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

Commission chambers

NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING: SEPT. 18
The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3koI057. 

EARLY VOTING INFORMATION
Following the passage of Proposition 22-2 last November, the City will offer nine days of early voting from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 5 in room 105 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE except for Wednesday, Nov. 1, which will be open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

For more information, visit eastgr.org/elections.

ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS
Absentee ballot applications are beginning to be mailed this week.

If you do not receive one, request an absentee ballot by completing the application here.

PUBLIC SAFETY

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY 
With shorter days and increased pedestrian traffic with school and extracurricular activities, Public Safety reminds community members to exercise greater caution during peak morning and afternoon commute hours. 

For pedestrian safety resources, visit the traffic controls page.

DEA National Takeback

DRUG TAKEBACK DAY
Public Safety’s fall Drug Takeback Day takes place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Public Safety lobby, 770 Lakeside Drive SE. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medications – no questions asked.

Since the start of this program in 2018, EGR Public Safety has destroyed 6,705 pounds of medications.

PUBLIC WORKS

Fall leaves

FALL LEAF PICKUP RETURNS OCT. 9

Fall leaf pickup begins the week of Oct. 9 and goes through the week of Dec. 4. Leaves may be placed in the street, but please don’t obstruct the roadway and storm sewer catch basins. 

Rules and routes can be found at eastgr.org/refusecollection.

TREE PLANTING PROGRAM

As part of the City’s tree planting program, residents can share the cost 50/50 with East Grand Rapids to plant a new tree in the outlawn of their yard – typically the area between the sidewalk and the street. Place your tree order by Oct. 1, with payment due Oct. 6. 

Learn more at eastgr.org/forestry.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

EAST GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
On the Nov. 7 ballot, voters in the East Grand Rapids Public Schools District will be asked to consider a bond proposal that focuses on major additions and renovations at the high school, a multi-classroom addition at Woodcliff Early Childhood Center, infrastructure replacements at all schools and a 10-year technology plan. 

Learn more about the proposal and upcoming information sessions at http://egrps.org/bond.

EGRSF Camp

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

With the generous support of donors, the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation helped fund a trip to Camp Blodgett for sixth-grade students.

The sixth graders attended the camp to make new friends now that students from all three elementary schools have started middle school together. Sixth-grade teacher Jill Smith, on behalf of the sixth-grade team, wrote the grant application along with East Grand Rapids Middle School Principal Jeff Dykhouse.

Thank you for your support of the Foundation and for making grants like this one possible! 

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH

Children’s author and illustrator Jason Chin, winner of the 2022 Caldecott Medal for his book “Watercress,” will speak about his work. A book sale and signing will follow the presentation. Sponsored by the Friends of the EGR Library with generous support from the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, this event takes place 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 at the EGR branch, 746 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Get your tickets here. 

Additionally, the EGR branch is now open 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.
 
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