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East Express. E-newsletter of the City of East Grand Rapids. Spring edition.

East Express | March 14, 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR


Hello, friends and neighbors.  

The days are brighter, temperatures are warmer and beloved outdoor activities have returned – it’s springtime in East Grand Rapids! If you are traveling for spring break, I wish you a safe and fun time away. If a staycation is in your plans, may it be restful and enjoyable. Make sure to enjoy all that our community has to offer – from Manhattan Park to Gaslight Village to special programming at the library and everything in between.

EGR Coffee Talk returns 10 a.m. Friday, March 22 at Bagel Kitchen in Gaslight Village. The coffee is on me, so please mark your calendar and join for some great coffee and conversation. Additionally, our next blood drive takes place 2-6 p.m. Thursday, March 21 in Room 102 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. Schedule your appointment today. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

During this time of year, make sure to lock your home and vehicles at night and when traveling out of town. Our Public Safety Department encourages you to set a daily reminder each evening to ensure all items are brought in and your home is locked.

Stay active this season by signing up and preparing for the Reeds Lake Run, which takes place June 22, and the Reeds Lake Trailblazer July 4. Follow our Parks and Recreation Department on Facebook to get updates on summer programming registration. 

In addition to Coffee Talk, I am also available to meet with residents during weekday office hours and on weekends. If you have questions or would like to discuss something, please contact me by email or call 616-949-2110, ext. 887 to schedule a meeting.  

Katie FavaleHappy spring! 
Katie

 




PARKS & RECREATION 

SWEETHEART DANCE

Community members of all ages are invited to the annual Sweetheart Dance on Saturday, May 18 at the East Grand Rapids Middle School, 2425 Lake Drive SE. From 5:30-8 p.m., attendees will enjoy a night of crafts, dancing, desserts and two themed photo backdrops to help capture the evening. Please remember to bring your own camera. 

Each child and adult chaperone attending must register for the event. The cost is $24 for residents and $29 for non-residents. Sign up by May 13 to receive a $5 discount. 

PAVILION RENTAL INFORMATION

Planning a graduation party, reunion or get-together this spring or summer? Consider renting one of our park pavilions. 

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 616.949.1750. 

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

Commission chambers

CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS

Here are a few highlights from the March 4 City Commission meeting:

  • Public Safety presented its quarterly report. 
  • The Commission discussed renewing the 2015 street and sidewalk millage. 
  • The Commission approved the strategic planning session summary. 

For the full agenda, click here. 

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 18 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE.

Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel and view minutes and agendas here.

PUBLIC SAFETY

#9PMRoutine: Bring in items, lock them up and turn on lights.

SPRING BREAK SAFETY: REMEMBER TO LOCK UP
A reminder to lock your home and vehicle during spring break. Public Safety encourages residents to participate in the #9PMRoutine – a national initiative that helps community members remember to take simple measures at 9 p.m. each night to keep their possessions safe. This includes bringing in items, locking your house, garage and vehicles and turning on outside lights to deter theft.

Child riding bicycle

BICYCLE LICENSING

Public Safety encourages residents to register their bicycles, which significantly increases the chances of getting it back if it’s lost or stolen. 

To obtain a free bicycle license, visit Public Safety, 770 Lakeside Drive SE, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Remember to bring the bike you want to register.

EGR Department of Public Safety logo on navy blue background.

SPRING DRUG TAKEBACK DAY

Public Safety invites residents and community members to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications at its semiannual Drug Takeback Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at the department, 770 Lakeside Drive SE.

PUBLIC WORKS

Green grass against white background

YARD WASTE PICKUP BEGINS APRIL 1
Yard waste pickup begins Monday, April 1. Grass clippings and small, loose yard debris must be placed in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers. Plastic bags are not accepted. The following are current yard waste pickup guidelines:

  • Bags and containers placed for pickup must not exceed 40 pounds or a 32-gallon capacity.
  • Ornamental grasses must be tied and bundled and must not exceed 40 pounds.  
  • Brush must be cut into 6-foot lengths and tree logs may not exceed 12 inches in diameter. 
  • All items for collection should be placed on the outlawn – the area between the curb and the sidewalk – rather than the street. 
  • In the spring and summer, it is preferred yard waste is not placed for pickup earlier than one day before the scheduled collection day.

For questions about collection routes, schedules or regulations, please call Public Works at 616.940.4870. Learn more about yard waste pickup operations here.

Eggshell, red bell pepper and lettuce scraps arranged over dirt

COMPOSTING PROGRAM
 There are still spots available to join the City’s food scraps composting program. East Grand Rapids residents and businesses can participate at no cost. 

Learn more about the program and ways to register here.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
View the latest construction updates from Public Works here.

Closeup of water

ADOPT A DRAIN

With spring rain showers, Public Works asks residents to help care for storm drains. If possible, carefully clear debris from drains before it starts raining and keep debris off drains to keep water flowing. 

For information on adopting a drain and joining your neighbors in protecting our watershed, please visit https://www.lgrow.org/adopt-a-drain.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

E-GREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

This spring, join your neighbors in learning about native gardening, composting and the birds of Reeds Lake during the E-GReen Sustainability Initiative’s Sustainable Neighbors Series, sponsored by Friends of the EGR Library and hosted at the East Grand Rapids branch of the Kent District Library, 746 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Below are the dates for each event:

 Hurrah! EGR Schools Foundation 2024 fundraiser

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Watch your mailbox for your invitation to the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s fundraiser, HURRAH! The party is Saturday, April 20 on Wege Plaza behind the Community Center. Last year, HURRAH! was sold out weeks before the event. You can register here as a sponsor or get your tickets to attend right away.  

This year’s party is a celebration of 40 years of the Foundation’s support for East Grand Rapids Public Schools.

 

2024 Corewell Health Irish Jig map

 

COREWELL HEALTH IRISH JIG

Community members and drivers are asked to be aware of Irish Jig participants the morning of Saturday, March 16 along the route pictured above. 

This year’s route has participants starting and finishing on Lakeside Drive SE in front of the Community Center. The route travels along Breton Road to Hall Street, loops around on Bonnell Avenue, then back to Hall Street and up Lake Drive to the finish line.  

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH
The library will be closed Sunday, March 31 for Easter. 


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