PARKS & RECREATION 

KAYAK KIOSK NOW OPEN

The City is excited to announce a partnership with Rent.Fun for the installation of a kayak kiosk that will allow community members to enjoy Reeds Lake. The kiosk is located behind Public Safety at 770 Lakeside Drive SE. 

From dusk to dawn, community members can rent the kayaks for two hours for $25. Additional rental time is available at $5 for 30 minutes after the initial two hours. Stand-up paddleboards will be available to rent at the kiosk soon. 

For more information, including how to rent, click here.  

WINTER GUIDE COMING SOON

The winter program guide will be available soon. For updates, check the website or the Parks and Recreation Facebook page. 

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING: OCT. 2
The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2 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.

PUBLIC SAFETY

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 Safety will also host its annual open house Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at 770 Lakeside Drive. All ages welcome for treats, refreshments and police/fire giveaways.

PUBLIC WORKS

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.

WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Public Works will be completing preventative maintenance on the drinking water system throughout October and November. The work will include valve exercising for two weeks starting Oct. 9. This work will not disrupt water service and will take place 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For fall 2023, valve exercising will take place in zones 6 and 7.

Beginning Oct. 16, water mains will be flushed from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. Sunday through Friday.

For details, click here.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

GASLIGHT VILLAGE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 
The Gaslight Village Business Association invites community members to its fall Artisan Village night market Thursday, Oct. 5 in the parking lot of Big Bob’s Pizza, 661 Croswell Ave. SE.

From 5-8 p.m., attendees can enjoy an evening featuring local artisans and makers, live music and food trucks. Artist booths will line the parking lot area, with food trucks lining Croswell Ave. Live music from Michael McIntosh will begin at 5 p.m. 

EAST GRAND RAPIDS HISTORY ROOM

The East Grand Rapids History Room encourages community members to check out the new Michigan Historical Marker designating Ramona Park as a historical resort and amusement park. 

From 1886-1954, the 21-acre amusement park bordered Wealthy Street, Lakeside Drive and Lovett Avenue SE. From Memorial Day through Labor Day for nearly 70 years, millions of West Michiganders spent time on the west shore of Reeds Lake. The park featured a roller coaster, baseball diamond and other amenities for the public’s summertime enjoyment. 

The historical marker, located at the northwest corner of Wealthy Street and Lakeside Drive, was installed by Public Works and funded by private contributions and the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation. 

To learn more about East Grand Rapids history, community members can visit the City of East Grand Rapids History Room, located on the upper level of the East Grand Rapids branch of the Kent District Library at 746 Lakeside Drive SE.

THE RAPID

The Rapid wants to hear from community members to inform its Transit Master Plan – aimed at strategically building a sustainable transit system to serve the metropolitan Grand Rapids area. 

Learn more about the Transit Master Plan and take the survey here.  

LOWER GRAND RIVER ORGANIZATION OF WATERSHEDS

LGROW’s fall newsletter contains fall yard tips, upcoming events and organizational updates.  

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

To celebrate its 40th year helping the schools, the Foundation created this video thanking community members for their support over the years.  

Stay up to date with all things East Grand Rapids by following us on Facebook and Twitter.