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Park events to promote community safety announced

The City of Grand Rapids is hosting free park events this summer to enhance community safety and opportunity.
Credit: 13 ON YOUR SIDE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The City of Grand Rapids will be hosting free park events this summer in each of the city's three wards to help enhance community safety and opportunity.

The events are open to all ages and are one of three pilot programs developed by the city in response to the shooting at Joe Taylor Park.

RELATED: GRPD investigating 10th shooting since Saturday night

“We’re pleased to provide these events to our residents in collaboration with several community partners,” said Evette Pittman, the City’s special events supervisor. “These are great opportunities for neighbors to connect, create community and help send a clear message that violence has no place in our city.”

Storytime at Joe Taylor Park

  • Wednesdays – July 24, July 31, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14. 
  • Storytime from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  
  • 3-on-3 basketball tournament from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Basketball registration starts at 6 p.m. each day. 

The City is hosting Storytime at Joe Taylor Park, 1038 Bemis St. SE, in partnership with Baxter Neighborhood Association, Country Fresh, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Urban League and Read GR.

Hip hop aerobics at Joe Taylor Park

  • Mondays - July 22 – July 29, Aug. 5 and Aug. 12. 
  • The fun goes from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 
  • It’s a drop-in activity, so there’s no registration.

Back-to-school celebration 

  • Sept. 7 at Joe Taylor Park. 

The event – in partnership with the Baxter Neighborhood Association, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Urban League – is tentatively planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Activities include a movie, food and games.

Community barbecue

  • Aug. 17 at Martin Luther King Park, 900 Fuller Ave. SE

 Following the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute’s Rhythm Run. The picnic-style event – in partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Urban League – is tentatively set for 2 to 5 p.m.

Neighborhood disc golf disco 

  • Late August at Highland Park, 700 College Ave. NE.

Details are being finalized – stay tuned.

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