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Cutting the Ribbon on Pleasant Park
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The City of Grand Rapids, State of
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development, Heritage Hill Association, South Hill
Association and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks all came together on July
31st to celebrate the opening of Pleasant Park.  This brand new 2.4 acre park at 400 Pleasant, complete with pathways,
sledding hill and common green, replaces an asphalt parking lot in an
area of the city deficient in green space. Park design includes
sustainable elements of unitary playground surface, LED lighting, and a
rain garden. Later this fall, trees and additional plantings will
be planted with the help of volunteers to add the finishing touches to
this amazing new neighborhood asset.
Pleasant Park is the result of a consensus-based park concept plan
developed through a neighborhood design charrette in 2010. The park is
located in an area of the city determined to be severely underserved
for access to green space according to the Green Grand Rapids Master
Plan. Funding for the project was provided through a combination of
sources, including grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust
Fund, Federal Community Development Block Grant Program, Dyer-Ives
Foundation and VanderWeide Family Foundation; creation of a
neighborhood Special Assessment District; and private contributions and
sponsorships raised by Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association, South
Hill Neighborhood Association, and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. FGRP
also added additional funds to the Parks Maintenance and Improvement
Fund at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation to assist with ongoing
park maintenance.
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Special Thanks to our Citizen
Foresters
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We love our Citizen Foresters. Not only have they become
indispensable in leading some of the projects that we have completed,
but they have also become invaluable resources within their own
communities – where their expertise is most needed.
Understanding the value of our Citizen Foresters, we decided to show our thanks through
Friends’ first-ever Citizen Forester Appreciation outing. On July 22,
11 Citizen Foresters and their guests joined us at Meijer Gardens for a
picnic and a private tour led by Greg Afman, Japanese Gardens Lead
Horticulturalist.
We were very thankful to secure Greg, to lead our group on an hour-long
tour. Greg started by taking us to Meijer Gardens rarely displayed
bonsai collection. On hot days, these trees receive water three times a
day! Of interesting note, some bonsai artists purposely develop defects
on their trees such as missing bark, dead branches, or deformed roots.
These traits are desirable as they help the tree appear more “natural.”
This is in deep contrast to the work completed by our Citizen Foresters
who are often trying to prevent defects in trees.
After looking at the tiny trees, the group wandered over to the
in-progress construction of the Japanese Gardens. Greg highlighted the
work that will be required to maintain the gardens. Some trees will
receive pruning twice a year or more. Definitely a more intensive
landscape than you might find in your yard. Regardless, rest assured
the gardens will be incredibly beautiful when they open in 2015.
(read more about this outing and how you can get
involved as a Citizen Forester)
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Featured Event: Green Gala 2014
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Thank you to our amazing 2014
Sponsors!
2014 Sponsors
Forest Sponsors:
Christman Company
Orion Construction
Plante Moran
Plenty
Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge
Pine Sponsors:
Appropos
CWD Real Estate
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Wolverine Gas & Oil
Fern Sponsors:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Hyde Creative
Lott3Metz
Meijer
Open Systems Technologies
Spectrum Health
Mint Sponsors:
Consumers Energy
Doorganics
Experience Grand Rapids
Founders Bank & Trust
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Griffin Properties
Miller Johnson
Padnos
Rockford Construction
Milt & Barb Rohwer
SIBSCO
Brian & Becky Swem
Williams Kitchen & Bath
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks invites you to be part of the greenest
bash of the season!
 The Green Gala is a
one-of-a-kind fundraiser advancing the work of Friends of Grand Rapids
Parks to protect, enhance, and expand our city’s parks and public
spaces. Guests will experience live music, locally-sourced food,
signature green
cocktails, and Michigan beverages
while enjoying
the beauty of the Grand River and
Fish Ladder Park.
 The
Green Gala has pioneered a new era of green events that produce less
waste, repurpose materials, and offset negative impacts on the
environment. The event earned an A++ rating from
Organicycle’s Zero Waste Composting evaluation.
 HIGHLIGHTS
- Delicious locally-sourced food during the peak of Michigan’s harvest
season from The Starving Artist.
- Custom photo booth to capture your Green Gala memories
- Be the first to hear about new initiatives to make our parks more fun
and inviting
- Meet and mingle with the people working to green our city and public
spaces
- Unique raffle items you won't find at other events
- Great music from Fauxgrass and Cabildo on the banks
of the Grand River
www.green-gala.com
and join
our event page on Facebook
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