Friends of Grand Rapids Parks events

Lions "Hug a Tree" Project (19 May 2012)

Sat, 19 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

LIONS CLUB "HUG A TREE" PROJECT
MAY 19

Last summer, the Lions International President Tam
challenged Lions across the globe to plant a million trees. Lions
responded to his challenge by planting millions of trees – so
far. The Grand Rapids Lions Club began planning its tree
planting project last fall, with the Board approving the final
proposal at its February 28 meeting. The club’s partners are
the City of Grand Rapids Forestry Department, the Friend of
Grand Rapids Parks and the Lions District

Location: south end of Grand Rapids Riverside Park along the river and around a little marshy area, which are along the White Pine Trail that runs near the river in Riverside Park; site
selected in collaboration with the City Forestry Department and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. This will be a pilot location as a "reforestation project" in the park.

Trees: 113 trees, one for each member of the Grand Rapids Lions Club (including the Branch Internet Club)

Species: 12 species for variety and survivability in this type of park environment, including American beech, basswood, black gum, hackberry, burr oak, red oak, river birch, shagbark
hickory, swamp white oak, sycamore, tulip tree, and yellow birch

Sizes: varies, but larger sizes for these quantities & species with consideration for prices, translatability and survivability – ranging from 1-2 feet to 3-4 feet; anticipate buying protective
tubes to enhance the trees’ survivability

Planting Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012; Lions families, prospective Lions and families and featuring visually impaired students with their families; sign-up sheets will be passed around at
meetings (Friends of GR Parks note: at this time no additional community volunteers are needed)

Grand Rapids tree canopy cover is now 34%, with a goal of 40% based on national target for cities. To meet this goal, there would have to be 200,000 trees planted on both public and private property. The current ratio is 5% on public land and 95% on private property.

A new initiative of a coalition that involves the City and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is the Urban Forest Project. It has funding for at least two years. Drawing on what other cities have done, it will
develop 3 components: 1) a web resource center for information on trees from multiple sources; 2) a citizen tree map which will be an interactive, a web-based map and database of Grand Rapids trees;
and 3) community-based engagement opportunities for organizations and individuals.

Hands Across the City: Greening the North Quarter (19 May 2012)

Sat, 19 May 2012 12:30:00 GMT

*for those clicking from our newsletter (wrong hyperlink) looking for more information on the screening of Urbanized, click here

Grand Rapids neighbors from the North End and Plainfield Township are joining hands in a day of caring for the environment on Saturday, May 19. “Hands Across the City: Greening the North Quarter” hopes to attract more than 500 participants from around the city to ready community gardens for planting, make improvements in city parks, spruce up the Creston and Cheshire business districts, and make repairs to residents’ homes. This is a collaborative effort between the churches, businesses, the North Quarter, Creston Neighborhood Association, and other non-profits, including the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, North End Community Ministry and New Development Corporation.

Coordinator Greg Martin says, “Everyone loves it when neighbors come together to make new friends, share a meal and work together for the common good. This is an affirmation of the spirit of the North Quarter and its’ commitment to a “green” and sustainable future. Residents truly make an investment in living here and are committed to building a strong sense of roots and community.”

The day will begin with breakfast in Briggs Park at 8:30 a.m. and work crews will receive assignments and head to project sites by 9:30. Approximately three hours of work will ensue from one end of Plainfield Avenue to the other. Business leaders have been particularly enthusiastic about the event. Laurie Williams said, “The projects our Creston Business Association has been working on are all coming into alignment. We find ourselves in the midst of a make-over for our neighborhood. There is focused energy here that is attracting enthusiastic young adults. This is truly an exciting time to be working in the North Quarter of Grand Rapids.”

As the neighborhood prepares for a major new environmental initiative as part of the upcoming Plainfield Ave. resurfacing this summer – the installation of “bio-retention islands”, CNA Executive Director Deborah Eid states “there is a palpable sense of excitement in our neighborhood as we feel the momentum building for attracting both new businesses and residents to connect here in Creston through the visible greening soon to be enjoyed up and down this “main street” of the North Quarter.”

Hands Across the City began in the summer of 2010 under the impetus of United Methodist Metropolitan Ministry of Grand Rapids with a KABOOM! Playground build in Garfield Park and a day of service in city parks co-sponsored by the City Parks and Recreation Department and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.

Several events are taking place in various neighborhoods around the city throughout 2012, and participation has expanded to include many other churches and organizations.

Those interested in participating may sign up on the Hands Across the City Facebook page, go to www.Handsgr.org or register on-line at www.crestongr.com.

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For more information contact: Greg Martin, 616.363.3446 or 616.550.1709 or aumcpastor@gmail.com.

Urbanized (31 May 2012)

Thu, 31 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT

Facebook Event Page

Urbanized is a feature-length documentary about the design of cities, which looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world's foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers.

Admission is free!

Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

May 31, 2012

6:30-9:00 - intro, film & brief discussion

Showing sponsored by Lott3 Metz Architecture, Nederveld Inc., The Rapid, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and Wondergem

New York Times Review of Urbanized

GREEN GALA (23 Aug 2012)

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:00:00 GMT