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East Express | April 11, 2024

PARKS & RECREATION  

SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

With summer right around the corner, Parks and Rec is delighted to share its 2024 summer program guide. 

Resident registration is now open. Nonresident registration begins April 18. 

REEDS LAKE RUN, TRAIL BLAZER & TRIATHLON REGISTRATION OPEN

Registration for the June 22 Reeds Lake Run, July 4 EGR Community Foundation’s Trail Blazer and Sept. 7 Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon are now open. Click on the name of each event for details and to register.

PUBLIC SAFETY

SPRING DRUG TAKEBACK DAY

While doing your spring cleaning, remember Public Safety is offering an opportunity 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.

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS

Here are a few highlights from the April 8 City Commission meeting:

• Kent District Library presented its community report.
• City Commission voted against a conditional rezoning request at 469 Greenwood Ave. SE/505 Lakeside Drive SE.
• City Commission approved the proposed City-operated Farmers Market and seasonal part-time Farmers Market Manager position.

For the full meeting agenda, visit our website. 

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 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.

PUBLIC WORKS

YARD WASTE PICKUP CONTINUES
Public Works reminds residents to place all loose yard waste materials in disposable paper bags or 32-gallon containers with a maximum weight of 40 pounds per container. Large items such as tree limbs need to be cut to 6-foot lengths or less and cannot exceed 12 inches in diameter. Items need to be placed in the public right-of-way on the terrace side of the curb.

The placement of loose leaves in the street is NOT permitted in the spring and summer.

For more information, please call Public Works at 616.940.4870 or visit the City’s website.

WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Public Works will conduct its regular preventative water system maintenance through May. This maintenance includes:

• Valve exercising – The opening and closing of water system valves located in the street on water mains – continues this week between 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This work takes place in Zones 8 and 9 and does not impact water service.
• Water main flushing – The flowing of water through fire hydrants – begins April 15 through late May between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday-Friday.

ADOPT A DRAIN

With April showers and spring weather here, our storm drains need extra care this season. By “adopting” a drain, you are pledging to keep it free of leaves and debris – joining your neighbors in helping to protect the environment, manage stormwater and minimize flooding. 

Learn more about this program from our friends at LGROW.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & DTE WORK

View the latest construction updates from Public Works on our website.  

A reminder DTE Energy is working on large-scale replacements of private gas mains throughout EGR this year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the DTE natural gas system improvement office at 616.551.2621.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS  

EGREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

Next up in the E-Green Sustainability Initiative’s Sustainable Neighbors Series is Birds of Reeds Lake, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 at the East Grand Rapids branch of the Kent District Library, 746 Lakeside Drive SE. Attendees will learn about the vast array of bird species right in our own backyard. 

The following Sustainable Neighbors Series event, Composting for Beginners, takes place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21.

Additionally, honor Earth Day and help the environment with friends and neighbors at the E-GReen Sustainability Initiative’s annual Earth Day celebration Saturday, April 27 at the EGR Public Works Complex, 2310 Reeds Lake Blvd. From 9-11 a.m., attendees will help remove invasive garlic mustard weed in our community and learn from the Kent Conservation District on how to identify invasive species.

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH

Community members are encouraged to recycle their eclipse glasses at any KDL location during operating hours through Monday, April 22. The EGR branch will send recycled glasses to Eclipse Glasses USA, where they will be sent to students in Latin America who will be viewing the annular eclipse in October.

The branch will also host several fun programs next week:

• Bingo hour – 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 16: Relax and make new friends while playing exciting rounds of Bingo. For adults.
• Reeds Lake Rogues – 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 24: Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons with us! Character sheets will be provided. For teens and ’tweens in grades 5-12. Sponsored by the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Reeds Lake Trail Blazer 5k Run/Walk returns July 4. This holiday classic supports the EGRCF, which seeks to improve the quality of life for EGR residents and visitors by supporting various projects including the Reeds Lake Trail wayfinding signage, Public Safety AED purchase and the Ramona Park historical marker, to name a few recent examples.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

EGRSF’s annual fundraising party, HURRAH!, returns to Wege Plaza overlooking Reeds Lake on Saturday, April 20. More than 500 people are expected at this nearly sold-out communitywide event. This year’s HURRAH! theme is a birthday party celebrating the Foundation’s 40 years of supporting East Grand Rapids Public Schools. 

The event begins with a VIP reception at 6 p.m. followed by the main party from 7-11 p.m.

Learn more here.

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