Board Meeting 2023-01-17

When: 2023-01-17, 6:30pm

Where: Emerald Flats Auditorium ■ 750 Eastern Ave NE

Minutes 2022-11-15 https://on.wmmi.net/3meUn1z

Agenda 2023-01-17: https://bit.ly/3WFJaHl

Proposed calendar of events for 2023 is as follows:

  • April 22nd, Park Cleanup

  • June 17th, Park Cleanup

  • July 15th, Party In the Park

  • August, Dumpster Day

  • September 16th, Park Cleanup

  • October 17th, Annual Meeting

Board meetings are scheduled for: 2023-02-21, 2023-03-21, 2023-04-18, 2023-05-16, 2023-06-20, 2023-07-18, 2023-08-15, 2023-09-12, 2023-10-17, 2023-11-21. These are the third Tuesday for every month except September when the meeting occurs on the second Tuesday.

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2023 and the future be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

Letter From The Chair

Hello,

Welcome to 2023! I’m Adam Tauno Williams, and the current chair of the board of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA). The last few years have been challenging for everyone in different ways; including our small all-volunteer neighborhood association. I’m am grateful for all my fellow board members and volunteers who stuck it out. Today, this new year feels to me like a time of returning, of coming back. In that spirit I hope you will indulge me for a little bit of a retrospective before some news about what we, as a neighborhood, are looking toward in 2023.

After roughly a decade without an active association HPNA came back online in 2019; with our first board meeting held that May. There were aspirations! We had some really great conversations, and some well attended meetings.

First Board Meeting

HPNA’s first official board meeting

For those who attended I want you to know those conversations have not been forgotten, I still have photos of our whiteboard. We will be coming back to some of these priorities in the next paragraphs.

Priorities white board

Our first meeting’s white board of priorities

Then, of course, the biggest event to happen was the COVID-19 pandemic. None of that was what anyone expected. The canceled meetings and events were discouraging. From aspiration to pause.

Yet, things still happened during the pandemic years.

One of the topics which came up early and often in our 2018/2019 conversations was the preservation of The Gulch. Long time residents are undoubtedly familiar with this area: the ravine between Hubert St and Cedar St which runs from College Age to the end Carrier Creek Blvd. For newer residents I recommend you check it out; there is a quasi-official path [Carrier Creek Trail] which runs east from Union Ave to Carrier Creek Blvd. Especially during wild flower season this is a beautiful area.

The majority of the parcels which make up The Gulch have long been owned by the Kent County Drain Commission - and while challenging to develop due to the topography and wetlands - their future was uncertain. Then in 2021 a deal was completed to sell these properties to the City of Grand Rapids Parks Department. While The Gulch is not yet a park that future seems nearly certain. With the Parks Department’s acquisition of this property ~10% of the Highland park neighborhood is park land; not many neighborhoods can say that! 😎

A map of The Gulch parcels sold to the Grand Rapids’ Parks Department

A new Master Plan for Highland Park (the park) was also developed in 2021.

The new plan addresses both the need for expanded recreational opportunities and the neighborhood’s concerns about accessibility and safety. Envisioned in the new plan are lighted pedestrian paths connecting College Ave to Grand Ave as well as to the park’s amenities area. It leaves intact the natural area along Coldbrook Creek which is a favorite place of many residents.

A tip for newer residents: the slope in the north east corner of the hill is an excellent sledding hill. The top of this hill is accessible from a path you can find on the south side of Lydia St, across from Benson Ave.

Highland Park

Highland Park Master Plan

In 2021 - 2022 the Association partnered with Caroline Cook (Grand Rapids Running Tours) and the Grand Rapids’ Neighborhood Match Fund to produce a 50 (fifty) minute documentary on the history of the neighborhood: The Story of Highland Park Neighborhood. As the pandemic faded we were able to screen it on June 4th (2022) in the Emerald Flats Auditorium. You can view this documentary online @ https://vimeo.com/732768043

The Story of Highland Park

The Story of Highland Park

2022 also saw the installation of the Boulder Wall in Highland Park; a collaboration between the Parts Department and the Grand Rapids Boulder Project. This collaboration created a one-of-a-kind amenity which was also an Art Prize entry.

Bouldering Wall

The bouldering wall in Highland Park

In the near future Highland Park will see a variety of improvements to the south half of the park.

  • Two courts suitable for bike polo will be added to the park; these courts are also suitable for other activities.

  • The parking lot will be reconstructed to accommodate 46 parking spaces and 8 handicapped accessible spaces.

  • Improvements to sidewalks and paths.

Some types of improvements in which people have expressed interest - most notably a pavilion which can be reserved for events - are challenging to fund due to requirements that the space have handicapped accessible restrooms. Without these facilities the park does not qualify for the related grants. Both the Association and the Parks Department are looking forward to a future renovation or reconstruction of the existing facilities in order to be meet those requirements.

While all these big items are important and exciting there have also been numerous smaller tasks and improvements. Such as the installation of a dog poop bag dispenser in Highland Park, trash cans at bus stops, etc... each may be easy to overlook, yet each one improves the neighborhood. And all of them are thanks to a neighbor’s effort and time. If I attempted to name the names I would miss someone, so I won’t do that. 🙂

Now the big question: what’s next? This is a topic the HPNA board is currently discussing. What should our near, medium, and long term goals be? And what are the best approaches to achieving them? So much of what was on that whiteboard in 2019 still pertains. No doubt there are new ideas and new concerns.

For HPNA itself there are board elections; we will have seven board positions elected this fall [nominations open this summer]. We also have a variety of subcommittees open for volunteers: Arts, Mobility, Outreach, Parks, and Quality-of-Life. As a young organization the agendas are very open, so if you have a passion for a subject there are a variety of ways to help us bring great things to the neighborhood. Arts, gardening, cycling, running, water, sustainability, architecture, whatever your passion we need and want your input.

As a neighborhood in Grand Rapids we also face the same challenges as our city; two of those are continuously rising housing costs and accommodating growth. The year 2022 goes into history as the all time high water mark for real-estate investment within the city. 2023 looks like it will not be slowing down. This year the city will begin in earnest the process of updating The Master Plan - a document which will guide the city’s development for the next decade [and possibly longer]. As a neighborhood this is an opportunity to imagine our future and began to lay out the steps to get to that future. I understand that change - or even talk of change - can produce anxiety, yet we should not miss this opportunity to help set the agenda. One of my own guiding principles is best captured in the quote from JRR Tolkein concerning the truth about fences: “The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out.” We should be the strongest voice for how our neighborhood will change.

908 Union Ave N

While The Master Plan is important it is also a large long-term process and document. More immediately the neighborhood has a new and unique topic to consider: what, if anything, happens at 908 Union Ave N. When development happens the typical process is that a developer buys a property, develops a plan, and then comes to a neighborhood and asks: “How do you feel about what we are going to do?” That process can feel disingenuous... because it is; the question is principally a political performance. With 908 Union - the largest vacant area in the neighborhood - we’ve been asked to participate in an iterative process along side an expert on what is fiscally possible. Then if we - the neighborhood - come together on what we’d like to see that would be used as the template for possible future development. This is a significant departure from the norm. Site layout, type [apartments vs. townhomes], architecture, ... everything is on the table.

Personally I’d love to have sidewalks on Union. A path from Union to Benson - for access to the park from north, avoiding most of Lydia St hill - is my "fantasy map. But that’s just me, what would you like to see? I’d love to hear it. From making an argument for park investments in The Gulch, to supporting neighborhood retail, even helping out the school district (GRPS), this is an enormous and unique opportunity.

There is so much coming in 2023. Our Art subcommittee expects to produce their first project! I hope you will participate along side us in whatever capacity works for you. We have monthly board meetings at Emerald Flats as well as several planned events. You can reach HPNA at hpnagr@gmail.com or (616) 259-4421‬. Check out our website for updates and agendas.

Thanks, I hope to see you - IRL! - in 2023.

Adam Tauno Williams

Updates 2022-10-25

Upcoming Events

2022-10-29: Community Conversation

10am - noon @ Lotus Brew

A member of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association board will be at the Lotus Brew tea shop (781 College Ave NE); let's talk about the neighborhood. What are your concerns, issues, and visions? What would you like to see in our community or how would like to participate?
https://www.facebook.com/events/1299660077471725/

2022-10-29: Winterize The Garden @ Highland Park

noon - 2pm @ Highland Park
Highland Park hosts one of the most beautiful pollinator gardens in Grand Rapids. As the weather changes and the temps begin to drop, we are looking for volunteers to help cut back the garden in time for winter. Join us this Saturday, Oct 29 from 12-2 to help us cut back the garden!
Register @ https://www.givepulse.com/event/330475-Highland-Park-Winterize-the-Garden

2022-10-31: Halloween!

  • Trick or treating hours are 6pm - 8pm.

  • If participating turn on your porch light at sundown.

  • If participating register your home on the Nextdoor trick-or-treat map @ https://nextdoor.com/discover/?map_type=treat_map

  • Only stop at homes with have their port light turned on.

  • Children should be a accompanied by an adult.

If you'd like to include Highland Park Neighborhood Association literature with your treats let us now and we will trick you out.

2022-11-01: Commission Night Out & Second Ward Neighbor Engagement Session

The final resident engagement and Commission Night Out for 2022 will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 in the Second Ward at GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids.
https://www.facebook.com/events/8948954898463589

2022-11-15: Highland Park Neighborhood Association Board Meeting.

Emerald Flats Auditorium (750 Eastern Ave NE) @ 6:30pm

Gayle Harvey, the Community Affairs Analyst, for the City of Grand Rapids’ Office of Oversight and Public Accountability will be presenting on the role of the OPA and related topics.
https://www.highlandparkgr.com/news/board-meeting-2022-11-15

Internet

Kent County is asking residents and businesses to take a 15-question survey about internet service at their households and locations. The survey asks whether high-speed ("broadband") internet service is available at a given address, and if so, at what speed and cost.
https://www.merit.edu/kentcounty/

Parking

Odd-Even Parking begins November 1st - Tuesday!
The City has a page where citizens can report parking violations 24/7 @ https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Services/Report-a-Parking-Complaint


According to city ordinance private vehicles may not be parked:

  • On the sidewalk or the space between the curb and the sidewalk, regardless of if the area is paved.

  • Blocking a driveway or alley; or within 3ft of the curb-line of a driveway or alley.

  • Within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant or intersection.

  • Within thirty (30) feet of any flashing signal or traffic control signal

  • Within twenty (20) feet of a marked crosswalk.

  • Within any marked bike lane

  • Within a marked fire-lane

The GVMC Metropolitan Plan

The Grand Valley Metro Council (GVMC) is kicking off the development of their next Metropolitan Plan (MTP) for the Grand Rapids region, which will outline funding and priorities for all modes of transportation through the year 2050. As part of the MTP development process, they will be evaluating road conditions, congestion, safety, freight movement, passenger rail, air travel, non-motorized, transit, and other modes of transportation.
Your input is an important part of this process. So please take their survey and share your priorities as they plan for the future and spread the word.
Survey @ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/29WCNBQ

GVMC Airport Access Study

GVMC (Grand Valley Metro Council) is teaming up with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Michigan Department of Transportation, Kent County Road Commission, City of Kentwood, Cascade Township, AECOM, and other partners to investigate ways to improve access to the airport as well as the surrounding local road and freeway systems. Rapid growth and development at the airport, and in this part of the region in general, makes now an important time to consider how to best provide access in the airport area into the future. The study will examine current transportation needs and changing travel patterns including airport passenger and cargo traffic, road connections and access, traffic operations and safety, bike and pedestrian circulation, transit service, railroad connections, airport security, and terminal access redundancy. The study will evaluate different airport access alternatives, leading to a recommended alternative (or alternatives) and an accompanying implementation and action plan.

https://www.gvmc.org/airport-access-study

Board Meeting 2022-11-15

When: 2022-11-15, 6:30pm

Where: Emerald Flats Auditorium ■ 750 Eastern Ave NE

Minutes 2022-10-18 https://on.wmmi.net/3tB7QoD

Agenda 2022-11-15 https://on.wmmi.net/3GPy1xe

Gayle Harvey, the Community Affairs Analyst, for the City of Grand Rapids’ Office of Oversight and Public Accountability will be presenting on the role of the OPA and related topics. Our guest speaker has canceled.

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2022 be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

Board Meeting 2022-08-16

When: 2022-08-16, 6:30pm

Where: Emerald Flats Auditorium ■ 750 Eastern Ave NE

Minutes 2022-07-19 https://on.wmmi.net/3GTwtlF

Agenda 2022-08-16: https://on.wmmi.net/3td3fc2

We will have a guest at the beginning of the meeting; Katie Carpenter, Community Engagement & Co-Sponsor Developer for Bethany Christian Services of Michigan. An opprotunity to learn about our neighbor Bethany Christian Services with an emphasis on their refugee resettlement program.

UPDATE: The slide deck from Bethany Christian Services’ Refugee & Migrant Resettlement program is available @ http://bit.ly/3X1UTRq

Proposed calendar of events for 2022 is as follows:

  • August 27th, Dumpster Day

  • Sept. 17th, Highland Park Cleanup

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2022 be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

Board Meeting 2022-06-21

When: 2022-06-21, 6:30pm

Where: Emerald Flats Auditorium ■ 750 Eastern Ave NE

Minutes: 2022-04-21 https://on.wmmi.net/3IUJk6V, 2022-05-19 https://on.wmmi.net/3rjTwje (previous meeting)

Agenda 2022-06-21: https://on.wmmi.net/3xg1blZ

We will have a guest at the beginning of the meeting; Adam Erber, The RAPID (Community Relations Specialist)

Proposed calendar of events for 2022 is as follows:

  • July 16th, Party in the Park - rain date is July 23rd

  • August, Dumpster Day

  • Sept. 17th, Highland Park Cleanup

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2022 be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

Board Meeting 2022-05-19

When: 2022-05-19, 6:30pm

Where: Northeast Community Church of the Nazarene ■ 861 Fuller Ave NE

Minutes 2022-04-21: https://on.wmmi.net/3IUJk6V (previous meeting)

Agenda 2022-05-19: https://on.wmmi.net/3gclyHp

Proposed calendar of events for 2022 is as follows:

  • April 23rd, Highland Park Cleanup

  • June 4th, Eastern Park Clean-Up & Highland Park Documentary Screening

  • June 18th, Highland Park Cleanup

  • July 16th, Party in the Park - rain date is July 23rd

  • August, Dumpster Day

  • Sept. 17th, Highland Park Cleanup

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2022 be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

Board Meeting 2022-04-21

When: 2022-04-21, for time see below.

Where: Weather permitting the board meeting will occur in Highland Park, next to the restrooms @ 6:10pm, otherwise the board meeting will be held at 861 Fuller Ave NE @ 6:30pm. A notice will be posted at the park if the meeting is moved to 861 Fuller. 861 Fuller Ave NE is the Northeast Community Church of the Nazarene.

Minutes 2022-03-17: https://on.wmmi.net/3IUJk6V (previous meeting)

Agenda 2022-04-21: https://on.wmmi.net/3ggDksM

Proposed calendar of events for 2022 is as follows:

  • April 23rd, Highland Park Cleanup

  • June 4th, Eastern Park Clean-Up & Highland Park Documentary Screening

  • June 18th, Highland Park Cleanup

  • July 16th, Party in the Park - rain date is July 23rd

  • August, Dumpster Day

  • Sept. 17th, Highland Park Cleanup

  • Board meetings will remain on the third Thursday of the month through May. (5/19). The schedule for future board meetings will be determined at the April 21st board meeting.

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2022 be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

Board Meeting 2022-03-17

When: 2022-03-17 18:30 (6:30pm) - 20:00 (8:00pm)

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85420264189?pwd=dzhaaWx5ck5hWnFLaVdrYzljTVZPZz09

Minutes 2022-02-17: https://on.wmmi.net/3IYjVcH

Agenda 2022-03-17: https://on.wmmi.net/3IRq76b

Proposed calendar of events for 2022 is as follows:

  • April 23rd, Highland Park Cleanup

  • May 21st, Eastern Park Clean-Up & Highland Park Documentary Screening

  • June 18th, Highland Park Cleanup

  • July 16th or 23rd: Party in the Park

  • Sept. 17th, Highland Park Cleanup

  • Board meetings will remain on the third Thursday of the month through May. (4/21, 5/19)

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2022 be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

Board Meeting 2022-02-17

When: 2022-02-17 18:30 (6:30pm) - 20:00 (8:00pm)

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88917986219?pwd=b1hQaXhQem4zV3lQS0hEZFpDNGM1UT09

Minutes 2021-01-20: https://on.wmmi.net/3AbLL1I

Agenda 2022-02-17: https://on.wmmi.net/35KwaLH

We will have three guests joining us at this meeting. Danielle Friedman from Network 180 Tammy Britton from The City, and Capt. Mike Waldron from the Grand Rapids Fire Department (GRFD) representing the Grand Rapids HOT (Homeless Outreach Team). They will be followed by Sam Kallen from Housing NEXT to discuss zoning as it relates to vacant lots in the neighborhood.

Proposed calendar of events for 2022 is as follows:

  • April 23rd, Park Cleanup

  • June 18th, Park Cleanup

  • July 16th or 23rd: Party in the Park

  • Sept. 17th, Park Cleanup

  • Board meetings will remain on the third Thursday of the month through May. (3/17, 4/21, 5/19)

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2022 be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

Board Meeting 2022-01-20

When: 2022-01-20 18:30 (6:30pm) - 20:00 (8:00pm)

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86307728034?pwd=U3B0STA2YkNuY1NCSTJLYnN4SEhlUT09

Minutes 2021-12-16: https://on.wmmi.net/3yz6L1u

Agenda 2022-01-20: https://on.wmmi.net/3rtO1gZ

Help the association determine what is the best time for board meetings; take our “best day of the week” survey.

Tentatively scheduled events for 2022 are as follows:

  • Park Clean-ups: April 23, June 18, Sept. 17

  • Summer Party-In-the-Park: July 16th or 23rd

What should the associations goals & objectives for 2022 be? E-mail us at hpnagr@gmail.com

News

Parks

Don't forget about our Moment-In-Time park survey you can fill out when visiting the park
https://forms.gle/bSmcMo6SJXqZ6mC78